Striking the rock

1960-1966
Oil on canvas
237 x 232 cm

The circular composition is emphasised by patches of colour that determine the visual spaces. The contrast between the drawing and the colour and the dark brown shades ever so slightly brought out by hints of yellow here and there highlight the tragic fate of Moses – a monumental and solitary figure in the middle of the painting – exposed to the anger of the Hebrews lost in the desert, starving and thirsty. The divine presence manifested by the sun’s fantastic radiance behind Moses grants the miracle of water that gushes forth towards a jubilant crowd.