Moses
Statue
1513-1542 (sculpted), ca. 1858 (cast)
1513-1542 (sculpted), ca. 1858 (cast)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figure was executed for the second project (1513) for Pope Julius II's tomb in San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome, and was planned for the second zone, above the right niche of the front. This project was not realised, however, and the Moses was not completed until 1542. Michelangelo chose the present position for the Moses during the final project of 1542-45. As it was designed for a higher viewpoint, the statue's proportions seem awkward when seen in its present low location in the church. Moses is depicted with horns, a traditional but inaccurate attribute of the Old Testament prophet in European art. The misinterpretation stems from the biblical description of a radiant Moses descending from Mount Sinai, with the Hebrew word for ‘ray’ being translated as ‘horns’.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Moses (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Plaster cast, painted plaster. |
| Brief description | Plaster cast, painted plaster, after the original marble statue of Moses for the tomb of Pope Julius II in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome, by Michelangelo, Rome, 1513-42. Cast by Monsieur Desachy in Paris, in about 1858. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label |
|
| Object history | Purchased from Desachy in 1858 for £45 |
| Historical context | This figure was executed for the second project (1513) for Pope Julius II's tomb, and was planned for the second zone, above the right niche of the front. This project was not realised, and the Moses was not completed until 1542. Michelangelo chose the present position for the Moses during the final project of 1542-45. As it was designed for a higher viewpoint, the statue's proportions seem awkward when seen in its present low location in the church. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This figure was executed for the second project (1513) for Pope Julius II's tomb in San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome, and was planned for the second zone, above the right niche of the front. This project was not realised, however, and the Moses was not completed until 1542. Michelangelo chose the present position for the Moses during the final project of 1542-45. As it was designed for a higher viewpoint, the statue's proportions seem awkward when seen in its present low location in the church. Moses is depicted with horns, a traditional but inaccurate attribute of the Old Testament prophet in European art. The misinterpretation stems from the biblical description of a radiant Moses descending from Mount Sinai, with the Hebrew word for ‘ray’ being translated as ‘horns’. |
| Bibliographic reference | Trusted, Marjorie, ed. The Making of Sculpture. The Materials and Techniques of European Sculpture. London: 2007, p. 166-167, pl. 315 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | REPRO.1858-278 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | July 10, 2000 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
