Where can I see Liber Veritatis: No. 47, A River Scene with the Finding of Moses?

Liber Veritatis: No. 47, A River Scene with the Finding of Moses is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Liber Veritatis: No. 47, A River Scene with the Finding of Moses?

Liber Veritatis: No. 47, A River Scene with the Finding of Moses is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Liber Veritatis: No. 47, A River Scene with the Finding of Moses

Liber Veritatis: No. 47, A River Scene with the Finding of Moses is a print by the Romanticist artist Richard Earlom. It dates from 1774 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Richard Earlom’s 1774 print, catalogued as No. 47 in the Liber Veritatis series, depicts a tranquil riverside tableau. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and presents a leisurely gathering of figures beside a river, framed by trees, a distant bridge, and a tower.

Subject & Meaning

Although the title references the biblical episode of the finding of Moses, the scene conveys a peaceful, everyday moment rather than a dramatic narrative. Figures are shown in repose—some seated on rocks, a woman in a long dress near a tower, a man sleeping beside a sheep—suggesting a contemplative interpretation of the story’s setting.

Technique & Style

Earlom employs chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts of light and dark to model forms and suggest depth. The shading creates a sense of three‑dimensional space, with darker foreground elements receding toward lighter, more atmospheric background features such as the distant bridge and palm‑lined shore.

History & Provenance

Created in 1774, the print was produced as part of Earlom’s series documenting earlier works. It eventually entered the holdings of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view as an example of late‑18th‑century British printmaking.

Context

The Liber Veritatis series was intended to record and disseminate images of notable compositions, often serving as a visual archive for artists and patrons. Earlom’s contribution reflects the period’s interest in classical and biblical subjects rendered in a calm, genre‑like manner.