Artwork

Moses Returns to Egypt from Midian

Moses Returns to Egypt from Midian, by Augustin Hirschvogel, ink, 1549
Moses Returns to Egypt from Midian, by Augustin Hirschvogel, ink, 1549

Moses Returns to Egypt from Midian is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Augustin Hirschvogel. It dates from 1549 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Moses Returns to Egypt from Midian is a 1549 etching by Augustin Hirschvogel, a German artist known for his contributions to etching, mathematics, and cartography. This small landscape etching is one of thirty-five produced by Hirschvogel between 1545 and 1549.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a scene from the biblical narrative of Moses' return to Egypt from Midian. The composition shows a procession led by a man guiding a donkey carrying a woman and child, accompanied by two additional men, one with a staff, traversing a rugged landscape with trees, boats, and distant structures.

Technique & Style

Executed in simple yet dynamic lines, the etching conveys a sense of movement, evoking the spontaneity of a quick sketch. The style aligns with the Danube School, a 16th-century artistic movement in Bavaria and Austria, to which Hirschvogel is associated.

History & Provenance

Created in 1549, the etching is part of a series that solidified Hirschvogel's connection to the Danube School. The work features a German inscription narrating the scene of Moses' return.

Context

As part of a series of thirty-five small landscape etchings, Moses Returns to Egypt from Midian reflects Hirschvogel's exploration of biblical themes within the broader context of 16th-century German art.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this etching are not highlighted, Hirschvogel's overall body of work, including this piece, contributes to the historical record of etching techniques and the Danube School's artistic influence.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Augustin Hirschvogel

Artist

Augustin Hirschvogel

Augustin Hirschvogel (1503 – February 1553) was a German artist, mathematician, and cartographer known primarily for his etchings.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.