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Moses and the Burning Bush

Joseph Wagner

1745

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Moses and the Burning Bush is a 1745 ink by Joseph Wagner, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Joseph Wagner
When & what style?: 1745 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This painting depicts a scene from the biblical story of Moses and the burning bush. In the foreground, Moses is shown kneeling on the ground, looking up at a bush that is engulfed in flames. The bush is surrounded by a halo of light, and its branches are twisted and gnarled. To the right of the bush, a figure of an angel is visible, with outstretched wings and a gentle expression. The background of the painting is dark and shadowy, with hints of a desert landscape. The overall mood of the painting is one of reverence and awe, capturing the moment when Moses receives a divine revelation from God. For more on this style, explore the Baroque movement.