Object Image

The Finding of Infant Moses in the Bullrushes

Both this painting and William Hogarth’s 'Moses Brought Before Pharaoh’s Daughter' (which was displayed next to it in the Court Room) illustrate episodes from the Old Testament. Hayman’s painting shows Moses being brought to the Pharaoh’s daughter after he is found in the bullrushes on the banks of the Nile. Moses’ mother had placed her son in a basket on the river so he would escape the persecution of Jewish children ordered by the Pharaoh. In Hayman’s scene Moses is being handed to a wet nurse, who is actually his real mother. The Egyptian Princess is unaware of the wet nurse’s true identity.

Hayman was born in Devon and later moved to London where he resided on Drury Lane. He made his name...

1746
Oil on canvas
170.8 x 188.6cm
FM24
Text © The Foundling Museum, 2018

Where you'll find this

Foundling Museum
Permanent collection

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