Sweeping arcs dominate the composition, creating the impression of immense walls of water rising and curving overhead. These powerful gestures evoke the sea as it opens before the Israelites, forming a passage through what had moments earlier seemed an impassable barrier. The dynamic movement of the paint conveys both the force of nature and the miraculous power that holds it in suspension.

At the center of the composition, figures emerge within the space created by the parted waters. Their forms appear united in a shared journey, moving forward through uncertainty toward freedom. Basteker intentionally avoids individual portraiture, allowing the figures to represent not only the Israelites of the Exodus, but all who undertake difficult journeys sustained by faith and hope.

Working in his distinctive abstract expressionist style, Basteker balances narrative and emotion through energetic brushwork, layered textures, and sweeping movement. The composition possesses a remarkable sense of rhythm, as if the sea itself is alive and responding to a higher command. The interaction between movement and light transforms the miracle into a spiritual experience rather than a purely historical event.

The painting also suggests a deeper symbolic meaning. The parted sea becomes a metaphor for obstacles overcome, for moments when a path appears where none seemed possible. The journey through the waters represents courage, trust, and the willingness to move forward despite uncertainty.

Rich in movement, energy, and spiritual resonance, Splitting of the Sea reflects the enduring themes of redemption and Divine providence. Through expressive abstraction and monumental gesture, Basteker invites viewers to experience the Exodus not merely as a biblical event, but as a timeless story of hope, transformation, and faith.