Facsimile of the Dome Painting of the Chapel of Exodus, Bagawat Necropolis, Kharga Oasis

Charles K. Wilkinson

325–375 · Tempera on paper · Medieval Art

The Chapel of Exodus is decorated with early examples of Christian art, which used both ancient religious and Old Testament iconography. In Tomb 25 at Bagawat, the paintings mirror those found in Roman catacombs. Divided into three registers, the scenes should be read right to left. The right painting depicts Noah’s ark, Jonah and the whale, Adam and Eve, Daniel in the lion’s den, and the earliest Christian representation of the prophet Isaiah. On the left, the Egyptian pharaoh and his Egyptian army follows Moses and the Israelites on their journey through Sinai. Other biblical figures include Rebecca, Job, and Abraham.

Artist

Charles K. Wilkinson

Date

325–375

Medium

Tempera on paper

Culture

Coptic

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1930