1567 - The Finding of the Infant Moses. Oil on canvas (with relining). Probably Venice, first third of the 18th century. Stretcher: 185 x 212 cm. Framed: 201 x 228 cm.

The Finding of the Infant Moses. Oil on canvas (with relining). Probably Venice, first third of the 18th century. Stretcher: 185 x 212 cm. Framed: 201 x 228 cm. The composition, which traces its origins to Paolo Veronese, depicts the Old Testament scene of the discovery of Moses (Exodus 2:1–10) by the Pharaoh’s daughter, who had actually only intended to bathe in the Nile. Unexpectedly, an infant in a wicker basket drifts toward the royal court. The infant had been abandoned by his mother to escape certain death after Pharaoh had ordered that all male Hebrew children be killed immediately after birth. Captured here is the moment when the child touches the heart of the Pharaoh’s daughter, who was initially hesitant. She will find a wet nurse for little “Moses” (Ancient Egyptian for “child,” Hebrew for “the one drawn from the water”), raise him at court, and thus save the central figure of the Old Testament. - The motif enjoyed great popularity, particularly in Venice. Among the many painters of the Venetian Baroque and Rococo periods—such as Sebastiano Ricci (1659–1734), Gaspare Diziani (1689–1767), Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696–1770), and Giovanni Battista Crosato (1697–1756)—who all took up the theme on multiple occasions—numerous parallels to the compositions of Gregorio Lazzarini (1655–1730) are evident, particularly in the rendering of the magnificent robes and hairstyles. - The canvas, which was likely originally folded in two, has been slightly trimmed—at least along the left edge—subjected to relining, and re-stretched; there is a tear in the canvas approximately 5 cm long to the right of the kneeling servant girl holding the infant Moses. Under UV light, several small retouches are visible, particularly in the area of the folds. The paint layer is evenly craquelated, and the varnish is slightly soiled. - Provenance: Private collection in Berlin. - This lot is not suitable for shipping by package. The buyer must arrange for pickup or transport via a freight forwarder.