“Landscape with the Finding of Moses,” created by Claude Lorrain around 1638, is an oil painting on canvas that belongs to the Classicism art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 138 x 209 centimeters. Exemplifying the genre of religious painting, this masterpiece is housed at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
The artwork depicts a serene and expansive landscape, suffused with the ethereal light typical of Claude Lorrain’s style. Capturing a biblical scene, it portrays the moment of the discovery of the infant Moses among the reeds by the river Nile. The composition is dominated by a lush, verdant woodland that frames the tranquil waters of the river, while several figures are positioned in the foreground and mid-ground, engaging in the act of finding and tending to the baby. The atmospheric perspective employed by Lorrain renders a sense of depth and scale, drawing the viewer’s eye further into the detailed and meticulously orchestrated background. Tall trees gracefully curve towards the sky, their lofty crowns blending harmoniously with the soft clouds, while distant structures and mountains complete the idyllic setting. The overall scene reflects the artist’s mastery in creating a balanced composition that beautifully combines natural elements with historical narrative.
