The artwork titled “Moses Saved from the Water,” created by the eminent High Renaissance artist Raphael, dates back to the period between 1518 and 1519. This religious painting, executed as a fresco, is part of the Raphael Rooms within the Palazzo Apostolico, located in Vatican City. Raphael’s mastery is evident in this fresco, a medium that involves the application of paint onto freshly laid lime plaster, a technique that requires precision and speed due to the plaster’s quick-drying nature.
The artwork depicts a pivotal biblical scene featuring the infant Moses, who has been discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter and her attendants by the riverbank. In the foreground, the baby Moses is nestled within a wicker basket, partially covered by fabrics, which symbolizes his humble and vulnerable beginnings. The female figures surrounding Moses are rendered with grace and elegance, characteristics often associated with Raphael’s figures. The group is composed of various individuals: a woman reaching out tenderly to Moses, a handmaiden attending to Pharaoh’s daughter, and others expressing concern and curiosity over the foundling.
The artist has employed soft, harmonious colors, enhancing the overall serenity and emotional tenor of the scene. The attention to detail in the drapery and the expressions of the subjects reveals Raphael’s skills in conveying texture and human emotion. The landscape in the background extends into a peaceful depiction of nature, with a tranquil river leading to a distant city. This serene environment contrasts with the gravity of the narrative moment depicted, underscoring the sanctity of the event in the biblical tale. Raphael’s artwork remains a testament to the aesthetic ideals of the High Renaissance, blending idealized beauty with narrative clarity.
