The artwork titled “Moses Forbids the People to Follow Him” is a creation of James Tissot, crafted between the years circa 1896 and 1902. The medium employed for this piece is gouache on board, which falls under the Symbolism movement. As a genre, the painting is classified as a religious painting, which resonates with a period when artists frequently sought to express deeper meanings and profound human experiences through allegorical content and symbols.
The composition of the artwork depicts Moses, clad in a vibrant red robe and white cloak, gesturing authoritatively with his right hand towards a crowd of followers, suggesting that they must not accompany him further. Adjacent to Moses stands another figure, arrayed in pure white garments, bearing a staff, and appearing to support the command given by Moses. The crowd in the foreground is a representation of a diverse assembly of individuals, each dressed distinctively, which hints at the varied populace that might have followed Moses.
Their attention is directed towards the two central figures, indicating the significance of the moment being depicted. This scene, imbued with religious resonance, captures a pivotal moment from Biblical narrative and conveys a strong sense of narrative through the gestures and expressions of the figures, as well as the composition of the scene, which Moses clearly dominates. The style and technique reflect Tissot’s ability to combine his keen eye for detail with his intent to convey a deeper spiritual and symbolic message through his work, which is emblematic of the Symbolist movement.
