A chef d'oeuvre of the National Museum of Damascus, this beautiful fresco was painted in Dura Europos shortly before its sack at the hands of the Sassanians in 256 CE. The following is a translation of its description in French by Sélim & Andrée Abdul-Haq back in 1951:
The Exodus of the Jews and the Crossing of the Red Sea
The event is narrated in five painted scenes. The first is occupied on the right by a crenelated construction where Egypt is smitten with four Plagues: Hail, Fire, Darkness, Locusts (Exodus 9 & 10). The Hebrews appear exiting an open door after Pharaoh had granted them a permission to leave. They are organized in several groups (soldiers, tribal chiefs, emigrants loaded with packages) led by Moses whose large figure dominates the spectacle. He is dressed in the traditional manner of the synagogue brandishing his staff in order to split open the Red Sea. An Aramean inscription painted in white is seen between his legs indicates:
"Moses getting out of the Red Sea".
The following image shows Moses closing the Red Sea where the Egyptians pursuing his people drown beneath the waves. To the right of the patriarch's head is another Aramean inscription:
"Moses closing the Red Sea".
Next is the tale of Marah (Exodus 15) captioned:
"Moses sweetens the water".
Dominating the ensemble is the Hand of God, symmetrical with that striking the Egyptians.
Lastly, the scene where Moses, shoes removed, extends his hand onto a bush (Exodus 3), probably the famous burning bush when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. On his right is written:
"Moses, Son of Amram of the tribe of Levi".
Sélim et Andrée Abdul-Haq. Catalogue Illustré du Département des antiquités Greco-Romaines au Musée de Damas, 1951.
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