Cornelis Schut (1597–1655) Lot n° 9

Moses and the Brazen Serpent 99 × 166 cm Oil on canvas Born in Kaufbeuren, the artist worked in Augsburg and painted portraits, still lifes and religious themes. The T-Cross with the brazen serpent rises next to the centre of the picture and is dark against the sky. From the left, Moses walks up in a blue robe and points at her with his staff. Those of the Israelite people who look at them will not die from the snakebites. Behind Moses the people flock to look at the serpent. A woman lying on the ground is made aware of the life-saving sign. To the right of the brazen serpent are dead people who have died from snake bites. An old man is brought in from the right to be healed from the snakebite. The camp of the Israelites extends in the middle distance. The incidence of light from the top left underlines the appearance of Moses. God sent poisonous snakes as punishment when the Israelites became dissatisfied while wandering in the desert after leaving Egypt (Numbers, 21, 4–9). At the intercession of Moses, God then advised Moses to make the brazen serpent. In the New Testament the story is related to the crucifixion of Jesus, who thereby redeems the people who believe in him (John 3, 14-15). A similar version of this theme is carried out in the evangelical church in Augsburg, South Germany private collection.