The composition is dominated by luminous vertical forms that rise through the canvas like immense walls of water. Their flowing, translucent presence creates a sense of awe and mystery, evoking the miraculous corridor that appeared within the sea. The boundaries between water, light, and sky seem to dissolve, suggesting a moment in which the ordinary laws of nature were suspended.

Near the center of the composition, a concentrated gathering of figures emerges from the atmospheric field of color and light. Small in scale yet powerful in presence, they appear sheltered within the vastness surrounding them. Their collective movement conveys both uncertainty and trust, reflecting the biblical journey from bondage toward freedom.

Working in his distinctive abstract expressionist style, Basteker uses gesture, texture, and luminous layering to communicate emotional and spiritual experience rather than literal narrative. The vertical movement throughout the painting creates a feeling of elevation and revelation, while the contrast between darkness and light suggests the transition from danger to deliverance.

The painting is imbued with a profound sense of stillness despite its dramatic subject. Rather than emphasizing motion and spectacle, Basteker focuses on the sacred pause at the heart of the miracle—the moment when a people stood surrounded by impossibility and witnessed a path opening before them. The sea becomes not only a physical barrier overcome, but a symbol of every obstacle transformed through faith.

Rich in atmosphere and spiritual resonance, Splitting of the Sea reflects the enduring themes of redemption, trust, and Divine providence. Through luminous abstraction and expressive form, Basteker invites viewers to contemplate the miracle not merely as a historical event, but as a timeless symbol of hope and transformation.