“The Finding of Moses,” painted by Nicolas Poussin in 1651, is an exemplar of Classicism in art history. This oil on canvas masterpiece measures 116 by 178 centimeters and depicts a religious scene. The artwork is a significant component of the collection housed at the National Gallery in London, UK, contributing to the gallery’s extensive repertoire of religious paintings.
The artwork showcases a serene yet dramatic tableau, set against an atmospheric landscape that combines classical architecture with natural elements. At the forefront, one observes a group of figures set around a central event: the discovery of the infant Moses, nestled within an ark of bulrushes. The composition is anchored by the pharaoh’s daughter, donned in a golden drapery, extending her arm towards the basket containing Moses, signifying her command to bring the child to her.
Surrounding her are various figures, each portrayed with distinct expressions of curiosity, awe, and tender concern as they witness the revelation of the baby. The women to her right, presumed to be her attendants, engage in animated discussion—possibly deliberating the situation or exchanging incredulous reactions to the discovery. Meanwhile, to the left of the artwork, one finds Moses’s sister, Miriam, who cautiously approaches the scene, her presence an allusion to the subsequent negotiation that would ensure Moses’s upbringing by his biological mother.
Poussin’s use of light and shadow enhances the sense of depth and dramatizes the interaction between the figures. His careful attention to the drapery and form of the classical garments adds a sense of gravity and timelessness to the scene. In the background, the landscape recedes into a harmonious balance of architecture and nature, complete with palatial structures and verdant vegetation under a vast, blue sky—elements that underscore the artist’s mastery of integrating human narratives within the context of the wider world.
