Moses Striking Water from the Rock

At God’s command, Moses struck a rock with his rod and water flowed out of it to assuage the thirst of the children of Israel, who were crossing the desert on their way to the Promised Land. The painting depicts the moment in which Moses – identified by his green garment and his radiant head – has just worked this miracle. With his sketchy painting style, Jacopo Bassano has lent a special liveliness to the many people pouring the precious liquid into a wide variety of vessels.