Finding of Moses Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665)

In this painting, titled Finding of Moses, the scene unfolds in a lush, idyllic landscape with a classical city in the background. In the foreground, a woman in a blue tunic and pink skirt kneels by the water, reaching out to a baby lying in a basket. Beside her, a young boy, perhaps her son, stands partially uncovered, looking towards the woman. To their left, an elderly man, draped in a yellow robe and a blue headdress, walks away with his hand clasped to his chest, appearing to be in deep thought or prayer. He is barefoot, suggesting a spiritual or solemn occasion.
Further back, other figures are visible, including a woman in a blue robe standing pensively, and a group of figures relaxing by the water under trees, one adorned with a wreath of flowers and holding a bouquet. A large, round building, reminiscent of a Roman mausoleum, dominates the middle ground, with other classical structures and rolling hills framing the distant cityscape. The presence of a lyre hanging from a tree, as well as a basket and what appears to be a quiver of arrows, suggests a pastoral or idyllic setting, perhaps hinting at the biblical pastoral landscape of Moses life.
The subtext of the painting is the biblical story of the Finding of Moses, where the Pharaohs daughter discovers the infant Moses abandoned in the Nile River. The painting captures the pivotal moment of discovery. The kneeling woman is likely Pharaohs daughter, gently reaching for the child. The baby in the basket is Moses, symbolizing his divine protection and destined future. The elderly man, possibly a representation of Moses father or a wise elder of the community, might be depicted walking away, unaware of the miraculous discovery, or perhaps departing after having placed the child there. The surrounding figures and the serene landscape offer a contrast between the vulnerability of the abandoned child and the divine Providence that safeguards him. The classical architecture in the background could allude to the Egyptian setting or, given the style of the painting, an allegorical representation of civilization, order, and the grand historical context in which this divine intervention takes place. The overall mood is one of gentle discovery, divine intervention, and a serene, almost dreamlike atmosphere.