Israelites Oppressed

Sargent, John Singer, 1856-1925 · [ca. 1890–1895]

At the center of this half-moon lunette, a group of bare chested figures, the Israelites, crouch under the weight of the yoke of their oppressors. Among those inflicting their strife are the Egyptian pharaoh wielding a staff at left, and the Assyrian King at right, releasing a sword from his sheath. Behind the Israelites are the bright red wings of a seraphim, which obstruct the face of the Lord. Portions of Psalm 106 run along the gilded edge of this lunette, telling the story of the Israelites' oppression.