The Finding of Moses

Otto Mäkilä's "The Finding of Moses" is a striking lithograph from 1920, showcasing the artist's early engagement with printmaking. Mäkilä, a Finnish artist, was known for his evocative and often dark imagery, a sensibility that can be seen even in this relatively early work. While the biblical subject suggests a traditional narrative, Mäkilä's approach is far from conventional. The choice of lithography, a medium he explored extensively, as evidenced by other works like "Nude Girl Under Trees" from 1923, allowed for a distinctive visual texture. This piece fits into a broader period of artistic exploration in the early 20th century, where artists often reinterpreted classical themes through modern lenses, reflecting psychological depth or social commentary rather than mere illustration. The greenish-yellow tint adds an unusual, almost ethereal quality, distinguishing it from the starker black-and-white prints common in his oeuvre.