Gezicht op de waterbron van Mara 1672

Gaspar Bouttats created this print titled 'Gezicht op de waterbron van Mara' somewhere between 1660 and 1695. This landscape rendering depicts a biblical scene; the Exodus of the Israelites, freed from slavery in Egypt, struggling through the desert, searching for water. The narrative touches on themes of survival, faith, and divine intervention, reflecting the religious and existential concerns of the 17th century. The print invites reflection on themes of displacement, resilience, and the search for solace in times of adversity. Consider the emotional weight of this quest for survival, and how Bouttats’ composition evokes both the harshness of the desert and the hope for redemption. How does the depiction of the figures – their postures, their interactions – convey a sense of shared purpose and collective struggle? What do you make of this visualization of a foundational story of the Judeo-Christian tradition?