Who painted The Finding of the Infant Moses?

The Finding of the Infant Moses was painted by Unknown in 1790.

Where can I see The Finding of the Infant Moses?

The Finding of the Infant Moses is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is The Finding of the Infant Moses?

The Finding of the Infant Moses is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Finding of the Infant Moses

Unknown , 1790

The Finding of the Infant Moses is a photography by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

The Finding of the Infant Moses, painted in 1790 by the artist catalogued as 241_person, is part of the collection at the Museum of Ethnography. The composition presents a tranquil riverside scene rendered in subdued tones of gray and brown, where a small group of figures is arranged against a backdrop of trees and gentle hills.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre, a kneeling woman cradles an infant, evoking the biblical episode of Moses’ rescue from the Nile. A standing male figure, dressed in a robe, watches attentively, suggesting guardianship. The quiet interaction and the serene landscape together convey a sense of protective care and divine providence without overt dramatization.

Technique & Style

The work employs a restrained palette, emphasizing muted earth colors that soften the forms and lend the scene a contemplative atmosphere. Brushwork is delicate, allowing the figures to emerge subtly from the surrounding foliage. The overall aesthetic aligns with early Romantic tendencies toward emotional restraint and naturalistic detail.

History & Provenance

Created at the close of the 18th century, the painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified later date. Its attribution to 241_person remains based on museum records, and the piece has been documented in the institution’s catalogues as an example of the period’s religious genre painting.

Context

The image reflects the broader European interest in biblical narratives during the late Enlightenment, when artists often combined devotional subjects with an emerging appreciation for landscape. Though modest in scale, the composition mirrors contemporary preferences for intimate, morally instructive scenes set within natural environments.