Artwork

Moses with Outstretched Arms

Moses with Outstretched Arms, by Augustin Hirschvogel, ink, 1547
Moses with Outstretched Arms, by Augustin Hirschvogel, ink, 1547

Moses with Outstretched Arms is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Augustin Hirschvogel. It dates from 1547 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Moses with Outstretched Arms is a 1547 etching by Augustin Hirschvogel, a multifaceted German artist, mathematician, and cartographer linked to the Danube School. This print captures a pivotal biblical moment amidst a chaotic backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a battle scene with Moses prominently figured in the background, arms raised in prayer or supplication, as indicated by the accompanying German text, which frames the scene as Moses seeking divine intervention for his people.

Technique & Style

Hirschvogel employed etching techniques that allowed for sharp, expressive lines, contrasting the dynamic, kinetic rendering of horses and fighters with the serene, static pose of Moses, highlighting the artist's mastery of detail and composition.

History & Provenance

Created within Hirschvogel's prolific period of landscape etchings (1545-1549), this work is part of a larger oeuvre characteristic of the Danube School's activities in 16th-century Bavaria and Austria.

Context

As a Danube School artist, Hirschvogel's work reflects the regional artistic tendencies of his time, blending precise technique with religious themes, though the specific provenance and exhibition history of *Moses with Outstretched Arms* are not detailed here.

Legacy

While the broader impact of *Moses with Outstretched Arms* on subsequent art is not specified, Hirschvogel's contributions to etching techniques and the Danube School's influence on European Renaissance art are notable.

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.