Moses Striking the Rock - Carletto Caliari

A dynamic study by Carletto Caliari, capturing the biblical miracle of Moses with fluid ink lines and white heightening on blue paper.

This drawing by Carletto Caliari depicts the biblical narrative of Moses striking the rock to provide water for the Israelites. As the son of Paolo Veronese, Carletto operated within the family workshop in Venice, absorbing the stylistic tendencies of his father while developing his own approach to draughtsmanship. The composition is crowded with figures, a characteristic trait of the Veronese circle, where the focus remains on the collective reaction to the miracle rather than a singular heroic portrait of Moses.

The artist employs a sophisticated technique, using pen and brown ink to define the forms, while brown wash provides depth and shadow. The application of white heightening on blue paper creates a sense of volume and luminosity, allowing the figures to emerge from the mid-tone background. This method was common among Venetian artists of the late sixteenth century, who utilised coloured paper to unify the tonal range of their sketches. The figures are rendered with fluid, calligraphic lines that suggest movement and urgency, capturing the chaotic energy of the crowd as they gather the water.

Caliari organises the scene with a sense of theatricality, placing Moses at the centre of the action while the surrounding figures interact with the environment. The drapery folds are handled with a rhythmic quality, typical of the late Mannerist style prevalent in Venice at the time. This work functions as a preparatory study, reflecting the workshop practices of the period where such drawings were used to plan larger paintings or frescoes. The preservation of the white heightening allows for a clear view of the artist's process, showing how light was intended to fall across the scene to guide the viewer's eye through the complex arrangement of bodies and vessels.