“The Finding of Moses” by Simeon Solomon (1840-1905)

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The Finding of Moses

Simeon Solomon (1840-1905)

Oil on canvas

81.3 x 61 cm

Collection: Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane Reg. 3

Provenance In possession of Hugh Lane by 1904; Lane Gift, 1912

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Solomon’s The Mother of Moses

This painting has a biblical subject matter. The scene depicts the finding of Moses as described in the Book of Exodus, Chapter 2, Verses 1 to 10. We see a woman, the pharaoh’s daughter, clasping tenderly in her arms the baby Moses, while a young girl, presumably Moses' sister, who had waited close by to see what happened to Moses, dances along beside her. The pharaoh’s daughter is dressed in a dark wine coloured gown, with a white shawl covering her head. Moses is wrapped in a deep red cloth. The dancing girl is wearing a white dress with a vibrant red scarf around her waist. She is clapping cymbals above her head. In the background are some palm trees set against a turquoise sky with fluffy white clouds. Part of the river Nile, complete with reeds is visible on the left behind the pharaoh’s daughter. — Museum Website

Created 2 June 2021