Artwork
The Finding of Moses
The Finding of Moses is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Paolo Veronese. It is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Paolo Veronese’s oil painting titled The Finding of Moses dates from around 1580 and is part of the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Executed by the master and his workshop, it belongs to a series of at least eight versions that treat the biblical episode of Moses’s discovery in the Nile.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas depicts the moment when the infant Moses is rescued, showing a woman cradling the child beside a man who carries a basket. Their attire contrasts a richly embroidered gown with the simpler dress of the male figure, underscoring the narrative’s blend of domestic intimacy and ritual significance.
Technique & Style
Veronese employs a luminous palette, allowing light to glide across the figures and enhance their three‑dimensional presence. The subtle gradations of tone and the warm, vibrant colors create depth, while the composition balances detailed foreground figures with a more atmospheric background of trees and water.
History & Provenance
Created in the late sixteenth century, the work entered the Spanish royal collection before being transferred to the Prado Museum, where it remains on public display. Its survival alongside multiple variants suggests the composition was popular among patrons of the Venetian school.
Context
The painting reflects the Venetian tradition of grand, narrative scenes that combine biblical subjects with opulent costume and architectural elements. Veronese’s workshop frequently reproduced successful compositions, explaining the existence of several similar treatments of the Moses episode.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Paolo Caliari (1528 – 19 April 1588), known as Paolo Veronese ( VERR-ə-NAY-zay, -zee, US also -see; Italian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter based in Venice, known for extremely large history paintings of…
