Who painted Brazen Serpent, from Michael Angelo?

Brazen Serpent, from Michael Angelo was painted by William Sharp.

Where can I see Brazen Serpent, from Michael Angelo?

Brazen Serpent, from Michael Angelo is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Brazen Serpent, from Michael Angelo?

Brazen Serpent, from Michael Angelo is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Brazen Serpent, from Michael Angelo

William Sharp

Brazen Serpent, from Michael Angelo is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Sharp. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

William Sharp’s 1829 lithographic proof, titled Brazen Serpent, from Michael Angelo, presents a crowded tableau of robed figures surrounding a central pole encircled by a bronze‑colored serpent. The composition captures a moment of collective reaction, with some individuals reaching upward while others avert their gaze, creating a palpable sense of tension.

Subject & Meaning

The work references the biblical episode of the bronze serpent lifted by Moses, a symbol of healing and divine intervention. By arranging the participants in varied poses, Sharp emphasizes the diverse human responses to a shared, unseen crisis, inviting contemplation of faith, suffering, and redemption.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph proof prior to the addition of lettering, the image displays Sharp’s meticulous handling of line and wash. Fine cross‑hatching and subtle tonal gradations render the figures with a realistic sense of volume, while the texture of the serpent’s scales and the drapery’s folds convey depth within a single plane.

History & Provenance

Created in 1829, the print was part of a series illustrating scenes from Michael Angelo’s literary works. As a proof before lettering, it represents an early stage in the print’s production, offering insight into Sharp’s preparatory process before the final edition was issued.

Context

Sharp’s lithograph emerges during the early Romantic period, when artists increasingly explored dramatic narratives and emotional intensity. The biblical motif aligns with contemporary interests in moral and spiritual subjects, while the lithographic medium reflects the era’s expanding print technologies.

Legacy

Although not as widely reproduced as later editions, this proof provides scholars with a valuable example of Sharp’s draftsmanship and the transitional role of lithography in early 19th‑century visual culture.