Scenes from the Life of Moses
by Sandro BOTTICELLI

The Scenes from the Life of Moses is located in the second compartment on the south wall of the Chapel. Botticelli integrated seven episodes from the life of the young Moses into the landscape with considerable skill, by opening up the surface of the picture with four diagonal rows of figures. The scenes should be read from right to left: (1) Moses in a shining yellow garment, angrily strikes an Egyptian overseer and then (2) flees to the Midianites. There (3) he disperses a group of shepherds who were preventing the daughters of Jethro from (4) drawing water at the well. After (5,6) the divine revelation in the burning bush at the top left, Moses obeys God commandment and (7) leads the people of Israel in a triumphal procession from slavery in Egypt.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 5 minutes):
Gioacchino Rossini: Moses, Moses' Prayer

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
The Trials and Calling of Moses
1481-82
Fresco, 348,5 x 558 cm
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

1111*700
True Color
184 Kb



The Trials and Calling of Moses (detail)
1481-82
Fresco
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

850*1074
True Color
193 Kb



The Trials and Calling of Moses (detail)
1481-82
Fresco
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

774*1080
True Color
188 Kb



The Trials and Calling of Moses (detail)
1481-82
Fresco
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

1034*760
True Color
190 Kb



The Trials and Calling of Moses (detail)
1481-82
Fresco
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

880*950
True Color
148 Kb



The Trials and Calling of Moses (detail)
1481-82
Fresco
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

938*930
True Color
159 Kb



The Trials and Calling of Moses (detail)
1481-82
Fresco
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

1057*870
True Color
190 Kb



The Trials and Calling of Moses (detail)
1481-82
Fresco
Cappella Sistina, Vatican

950*1003
True Color
167 Kb




Summary of works by Botticelli
| early paintings | late paintings |
religious paintings | page 1 | page 2 |
| Cappella Sistina | San Barnaba | San Marco |
| allegories | Nastagio | scenic stories | portraits |
| drawings | illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy |