The Finding of Moses

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.