The Egyptians Submerged in the Red Sea - Anne Claude Philippe de Thubières, comte de Caylus

A chiaroscuro woodcut depicting the biblical scene of the Egyptian army, based on a drawing by Gianfrancesco Penni.

This print, titled The Egyptians Submerged in the Red Sea, is a fine example of the chiaroscuro woodcut technique popularised in the eighteenth century. The work is based on a drawing by the Italian Renaissance artist Gianfrancesco Penni, which was held in the collection of Pierre Crozat. The comte de Caylus, a French antiquarian and amateur engraver, produced this print to replicate the tonal qualities of the original drawing through the use of multiple woodblocks.

The composition is arranged in a fan-shaped format, typical of decorative prints intended for collectors or as design studies. It depicts the biblical narrative of the drowning of the Egyptian army. Figures of soldiers and horses are caught in the turbulent waters, their forms rendered with fluid, expressive lines. The use of a monochromatic, sepia-toned palette creates a sense of depth and volume, allowing the light and shadow to define the chaotic movement of the scene. The print captures the dramatic tension of the event, focusing on the struggle of the figures against the rising tide.

As an antiquarian, the comte de Caylus was deeply interested in the preservation and reproduction of classical and Renaissance art. His work on this series reflects a broader interest in the technical aspects of printmaking and the dissemination of master drawings. The inscription at the base of the print provides provenance, noting the original artist, the owner of the drawing, and the technical collaboration with the engraver Nicolas le Sueur. This piece offers a glimpse into the scholarly and artistic circles of eighteenth-century France, where the study of historical masters informed contemporary aesthetic production. The print remains a record of both the original Renaissance composition and the technical ingenuity of the French printmaking tradition.