The Finding of Moses

Nicolas Poussin (1594 - 1665)

National Museum Cardiff

1651

This work constitutes one of the peaks of achievement in European art. The story of Moses held a particular fascination for Poussin, providing him with subjects for nineteen of his pictures, almost one-tenth of his work. The joyfulness of the event is perfectly expressed through the bright colours of the fluttering draperies and the excited gestures of the figures. This effect is contrasted with the cool composure of the Egyptian princess and her immediate attendant. The background is one of the most archaeologically correct of all Poussin's landscapes. Taking enormous trouble to be accurate, he derived the large palace from a Roman mosaic at Palestrina representing Egyptian life, which was excavated in 1638. Joint acquisition between the National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff and the National Gallery.

• Medium: oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 116 x 178 cm
• Art Fund Grant: £250000 ( Total: £7,250,000; Export stopped)
• ArtFunded in: 1989
• Vendor: Mrs Derek Schreiber

Provenance

M.Reynon; Armand Jean Wignerod du Plessis; Louis Henri de Lomenie; M. du Housset; Jean-Baptist Colbert; Denis Moreau; by descent to Louis de Nyert; Mr Greenwood; Robert Clive; 2nd Lord Clive; by inheritance through her husband, Mrs Schreiber.

Add your comments about this artwork Hide this form

Have your say