Moses and the Bronze Serpent
Canvas.
H_86 cm W_104 cm
Bibliography: P. Königfeld, Johann Heiss, Munich, 2001, no. D26.
This painting depicts an episode in the exodus of the Jews to the land of Canaan: the Jews began to doubt God and Moses, so God sent snakes to attack them, and the survivors turned to Moses to intercede for them. God told Moses to make a burning snake and hoist it on the pole, which Moses did by making a bronze snake. Those who had been bitten had only to look at it to be saved.
This theme was depicted several times by Heiss; we know of four other versions (see P. Königfeld, Johann Heiss, Munich, 2001, no. D6, no. D7, reproduced, no. D16, no. D21, reproduced).
The attribution has been confirmed by Erich Schleier.
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