The Finding of Moses 1600 - 1700

"The Finding of Moses" is a drawing rendered in pen, black ink, and gray wash, by an anonymous artist. The biblical story of Moses found in the bulrushes is laden with the entwined themes of identity, gender, and power. The narrative unfolds around women – Moses' mother, who defies the Pharaoh's decree by saving her child, and Pharaoh's daughter, who discovers and adopts him. It is a tale steeped in the disruption of patriarchal lines, challenging traditional narratives of male inheritance. Here, the artist captures a moment of rescue, which speaks to both the vulnerability of infancy and the quiet rebellion of women protecting life in the face of tyranny. The artist's choice to depict this scene invites us to consider the agency of women in shaping history. This challenges viewers to reflect on the emotional weight of the decisions made, and the subtle yet powerful ways in which women have historically navigated oppressive systems.