The Painting the Red Sea story type (ATU 1857)

The Painting the Red Sea story type (ATU 1857) is a delightful anecdote that celebrates wit and cleverness, often at the expense of expectation. It's a tale where a simple, seemingly unfinished piece of art becomes a masterpiece of verbal ingenuity.

The pattern

This story type consistently features a character, often a painter, who is given the grand task of illustrating a significant event—most famously, the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea. Instead of a detailed tableau, the painter presents a canvas or wall covered entirely in a single color, typically red. When questioned about the missing figures—the Israelites and the pursuing Egyptians—the painter delivers a brilliant, concise explanation: the Israelites have already passed through, and the Egyptians have drowned. This quick-witted response transforms a seemingly lazy or incomplete effort into a moment of comedic genius, leaving the questioner momentarily stunned by the sheer audacity and logic of the answer. It’s a wonderful example of how a tale can turn on a single, unexpected line, much like the humorous dilemmas found in stories such as The Foolish Farmer Studies Medicine story type (ATU 1676*).

How cultures tell it

Across at least 8 different cultures where this story type has been recorded, the core pattern remains remarkably consistent, though the details may shift. The identity of the painter can vary widely, from a nobleman to a common person, or even a legendary trickster figure like Eulenspiegel in some European tellings. The motivation for the painting also changes; sometimes it's a penance for sins, other times it's a simple commission. Despite these variations, the essence of the tale—the red canvas and the ingenious explanation—is its enduring heart. This broad appeal highlights a universal appreciation for quick thinking and the power of a well-placed joke, a theme that resonates in many global anecdotes, including those like The Frightened to Death story type (ATU 1676B) where wit often triumphs over fear.

Motifs that define it

Unlike some folktales defined by specific symbolic objects or magical creatures, the ATU 1857 type is primarily characterized by its narrative structure and the cleverness of its central character. The 'red canvas' itself acts as a pivotal element, a visual punchline that sets up the verbal one. The 'missing figures' are not merely absent but are essential to the joke, their absence creating the space for the painter's witty retort. This reliance on intellectual humor and linguistic dexterity makes the story memorable. It's a tale where the 'trick' is in the words, not in magic, making it akin to other tales of verbal dexterity and outsmarting, such as The Voices from the Graveyard story type (ATU 1676C) where a character's quick thinking saves the day.

Reading it with kids

This story type offers a fantastic opportunity to share a laugh with children and spark conversations about creativity, problem-solving, and humor. The core of the tale is lighthearted and witty, making it very age-appropriate. While older versions might include motivations like atonement for sins, these elements can be easily adapted or softened for younger audiences, focusing instead on the fun of the clever trick. When choosing a telling, look for versions that emphasize the painter's ingenuity and the humorous surprise of the reveal. It's a wonderful way to introduce the idea that sometimes the simplest answer, delivered with confidence, can be the most brilliant. Encourage children to think about how they might solve a tricky problem with a clever answer, or what other famous scenes could be depicted in such an imaginative, minimalist way.