The artwork titled “Departure of the Israelites,” created by David Roberts in 1830, belongs to the Romanticism and Orientalism art movements. It is a cityscape genre painting and is currently housed in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in Birmingham, UK.
The artwork vividly portrays a bustling ancient cityscape, presumably set in Egypt, with monumental architecture and statues that reflect the grandeur and splendor of the time. In the foreground, there are large statues and detailed structures, with crowds of people and animals indicating a mass exodus. The intricate detailing and the sheer scale of the architecture give a sense of the enormity and significance of the event depicted. In the distance, pyramids and other grand structures enhance the overall majestic and historical atmosphere of the scene. The use of light and shadow, along with the vastness of the composition, emphasizes the dramatic nature of the Israelites’ departure, capturing both the monumental architecture and the human activity within this ancient city.
