“This striking painting reinterprets the biblical story of Moses and the Burning Bush with a vibrant, graphic energy. It invites you to see a familiar narrative through a uniquely modern and iconic visual language.”
In this vibrant 1985 work, a figure with arms raised stands before a radiating, stylized bush, its branches ablaze with energetic lines. The scene captures the biblical narrative of Moses and the Burning Bush, rendered in a bold, graphic style that feels both ancient and utterly contemporary. The strong outlines and simplified forms convey a sense of immediacy and power, drawing the viewer into the miraculous encounter. This painting exemplifies how a traditional religious subject can be reinterpreted through a modern lens, transforming a familiar story into a dynamic visual experience. The use of bright, unmodulated colors and clear contours makes the spiritual moment feel accessible and universal.
- Artist
- Keith Haring
- Date
- 1985
- Location
- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The radiating lines around the bush, suggesting divine energy.
The figure's expressive, simplified form and raised arms.
The bold, graphic outlines defining all elements.
The limited, yet impactful, color palette.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Moses and the Burning Bush — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Keith Haring
1958–1989 · United StatesKeith Haring transformed New York City subway chalk drawings into a globally recognized visual language, addressing urgent social issues with his iconic Radiant Baby and dancing figures.
Further Works by Haring
More from Postmodernism
More works to explore
Beyond Haring and Postmodernism: works from the same years, and from the other movements Moses and the Burning Bush belongs to.
Same movement · Contemporary Art
Sun Spot
Yayoi Kusama · 1953 · Art Institute of Chicago
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Pat Hearn
Andy Warhol · 1985 · Art Institute of Chicago
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Kiki (Smith)
Chuck Close · 2000 · Art Institute of Chicago
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Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.)
Félix González-Torres · 1991
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Roy Lichtenstein · 1974 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1970s–2000s
Corpse and Mirror II
Jasper Johns · 1974 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1970s–2000s
Wu Street
Xu Bing · 1993 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1970s–2000s
Cremaster 5: The Queen of Chain
Matthew Barney · 1997 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1970s–2000s
American Horizon
Jane Wooster Scott · 2000 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1970s–2000s
Krach
Philip West · 1987 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1970s–2000s
It's a New Age
William Hook · 1992 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1970s–2000s
Cremaster 2: Deseret
Birgit Cullberg · 1999 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1970s–2000s
A Face from Georgia
Ivan Albright · 1970 · Art Institute of Chicago




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