The artwork, titled “Moses (after Michelangelo),” was created by the artist Edmonia Lewis in 1875. Executed in marble, this sculpture embodies the Neoclassical art movement and is currently housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC, US.
In the artwork, Moses is depicted in a seated pose, exuding an aura of strength and contemplation. The attention to detail is evident in the intricate carving of the flowing beard and the drapery of the garments. The composition and style of the sculpture closely echo Michelangelo’s famous portrayal of Moses, yet uniquely rendered through Lewis’s skillful craftsmanship. The marble medium enhances the sculpture’s elegance, imbuing it with a timeless quality characteristic of Neoclassical art. The figure radiates a sense of authoritative presence, underscored by the powerful musculature and the intense expression.
