The Finding of Moses by Otto Mäkilä

The Finding of Moses

Otto Mäkilä · 1920

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“Step into a dramatically colored biblical scene. This lithograph uses stark forms and an unusual greenish-yellow hue to create an unforgettable, dreamlike atmosphere for the finding of Moses.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

In this striking lithograph, the biblical scene of the finding of Moses unfolds with a sense of quiet drama. The figures are rendered with a stark simplicity, their forms almost silhouetted against a subtly textured background. Pharaoh's daughter, identifiable by her regal bearing, stands at the river's edge, her gaze directed towards the infant in the basket. The greenish-yellow tint, a distinctive feature of this print, washes over the scene, lending it an otherworldly atmosphere that enhances the ancient narrative. This deliberate color choice, combined with the strong lines and limited detail, pulls the viewer into the moment, emphasizing the emotional weight of discovery rather than a literal depiction of the landscape. The artist, Otto Mäkilä, was only 16 when this work was created, making its sophisticated composition and evocative mood particularly noteworthy.

DETAILS
Artist
Otto Mäkilä
Date
1920
Medium
Lithograph in black and greenish-yellow on ivory wove paper
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
Image, sight: 28.5 × 38.7 cm (11 1/4 × 15 1/4 in.); Sheet, sight: 21.7 × 42 cm (8 9/16 × 16 9/16 in.)
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What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The Finding of Moses
01

The greenish-yellow tint that permeates the entire scene.

02

The strong, dark outlines defining the figures.

03

The basket holding the infant Moses, nestled among reeds.

04

The simple, almost abstract rendering of the riverbank.

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THE ARTIST

Otto Mäkilä

1904–1955 · Finland

Otto Mäkilä, a Finnish painter, captured the human experience with works like 'Murder' and 'Evening on the Wijtschaete Plain' in the early 20th century.

Read Mäkilä’s full story
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