J. M. W. Turner 1775 – 1851

The Tenth Plague of Egypt

oil on canvas (143 × 236 cm) — 1802 Museum Tate Britain, London

This work is linked to Exodus 12:29

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The tenth and final plague that God let loose on the Egyptians was by far the most horrible. All firstborn had to die, from Pharaoh's oldest child to the firstborn of the cattle.

The plagues were a punishment for enslaving the people of Israel. Only after the tenth plague Pharaoh would let the Jews go.

This painting was first exhibited in 1802 when Turner was still in his twenties. He showed that he could combine his skills in landscape painting with applying the grand style of the Renaissance. Turner also painted the fifth plague.

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