The Finding of Moses represents an age-old story retold.

According to the Old Testament story from the book of Exodus in Chapter 2, when Pharoah ordered the execution of all Israelite boys, baby Moses was taken by his mother and placed in a basket by the Nile River. He was later discovered by the Pharoah’s daughter. This painting shows the moment following this discovery. Notice the scene. With grassy hills and clay architecture, the painting certainly does not seem to be set in the deserts of Egypt, where this historical event is said to have taken place. Why is this?

During the Baroque period, Dutch painters often followed their apprenticeship in the Netherlands with a period of vocational travel in Italy. These painters, called Italianisers, continued their painting of Italianate landscapes after their return to the Netherlands by painting historical scenes in an Italian setting. Cornelis van Poelenburgh was known for being the pioneer of the specialization in Italianate landscapes in his home of Utrecht. The Finding of Moses serves as a prime example of an Italianiser’s work and shows a clear appreciation for the landscapes of Italy.

 

By: Emily Melton

 

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