Moses Views the Promised Land, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery" 1857 - 1867

This is Frederic Leighton’s wood engraving, *Moses Views the Promised Land,* created as part of Dalziels' Bible Gallery. Immediately, we notice the figure of Moses dominating the composition, his monumental presence emphasized by the use of strong vertical lines and the elevated vantage point atop the craggy rocks. The surrounding landscape and stormy skies appear to reinforce the solemnity of the moment. The formal structure is a clear manifestation of power and prophecy, with the strategic placement of light and shadow adding dramatic intensity. Leighton uses the graphic potential of engraving to explore a complex interplay between divine will, human desire, and unfulfilled promises. This image operates within a structured system of visual codes that are both culturally and historically significant. Notice how the artist creates a sense of sublime grandeur, evoking a sense of spiritual intensity but also a feeling of the unattainable, framing it as a complex symbolic representation. The image invites viewers to contemplate the nature of leadership, faith, and the burden of unfulfilled destiny.