Moses Striking the Rock 17th-18th century

Curator: Let's look at this print, "Moses Striking the Rock," by Jean Audran. The image captures a pivotal moment from the Old Testament. Editor: The scene is teeming with desperation! I immediately see a cluster of figures in obvious distress. What can you tell me about the politics of this scene? Curator: During the Israelites' exodus, they lacked water, and Moses, at God's command, struck a rock to provide it. This becomes a potent symbol of divine intervention, of course. Editor: Absolutely. And within the narratives of liberation, we see how access to resources—like water here—becomes inextricably linked to power and control. Who gets access, and who is denied? Curator: Right. In Audran's time, images like this reinforced religious and social hierarchies. The miracle affirms Moses's authority and, by extension, the authority of the Church and the monarchy. Editor: So this isn’t just a biblical story, it is a reminder of who yields power in a very immediate way. Curator: Precisely. Looking at the print through that lens helps us appreciate how images reinforce the status quo. Editor: And thinking about that can teach us about how art reflects power dynamics even today.