Joshua and the Israelites Crossing the Jordan c. 16th century

This drawing, Joshua and the Israelites Crossing the Jordan, was created by the Workshop of Raphael around 1516, rendered in pen and brown ink with white heightening on blue paper. The composition is dominated by a dense mass of figures in the foreground, their forms rendered with dynamic lines and dramatic chiaroscuro. This creates a sense of movement as the Israelites cross the river. The eye is drawn to the center where the Ark of the Covenant is carried. The contrast of light and shadow gives the scene both a physical and spiritual weight. The use of line is particularly striking. It defines forms while also conveying a sense of energy and instability. Figures are caught in mid-stride, and drapery billows around them. The rough texture of the pen work adds to the raw emotional intensity. The artist utilizes a limited palette of browns, blues, and whites, which enhances the dramatic effect. This is not just an illustration of a biblical event but also a study in the expressive potential of line and form. The unfinished quality invites ongoing interpretation of its meaning and artistic intention.