The Israelites crossing the Red Sea

"The Israelites crossing the Red Sea" is a fresco by Agnolo di Cosimo, known as Bronzino, completed in 1542 and housed in the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence. This religious painting vividly depicts the biblical scene from the Book of Exodus, illustrating the Israelites crossing the Red Sea to escape Egyptian bondage. The composition seamlessly blends tempera-like detail with the refined, elongated figures characteristic of Mannerism (late renaissance). The painting also captures the moment when Moses commissions Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land, emphasizing the spiritual and leadership themes central to biblical narratives.