The Finding of Moses 1666 - 1676

"The Finding of Moses" is a brown ink drawing by the Italian Baroque artist Giovanni Stefano Danedi, known as Montalto. It depicts the biblical story of the discovery of Moses, the infant prophet, by Pharaoh's daughter in the Nile River. The composition showcases a dramatic interplay of figures, highlighted by the contrasting light and shadow. The drawing, created between 1666 and 1676, showcases Montalto's skill in capturing the emotional intensity of the scene, particularly in the figures' expressive gestures and the depiction of the surrounding foliage. This work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into Montalto's artistic practice and the enduring appeal of biblical narratives in Baroque art.