Moses Brought to Pharaoh's Daughter

The work titled "Moses Brought to Pharaoh's Daughter" was produced in 1752 through the collaborative efforts of William Hogarth and Luke Sullivan. Classified as a British print, this piece utilizes the complex techniques of engraving and etching applied to wove paper. This specific medium allowed the artists to achieve high levels of detail and definition, critical for the wide distribution of graphic works in the mid-eighteenth century.

While Hogarth is celebrated for his original designs and satirical subject matter, Sullivan was a highly proficient professional engraver who frequently translated Hogarth's sketches and paintings into reproducible printed formats, thereby expanding the artist’s reach to a broad audience. The subject matter draws directly from the Old Testament, illustrating the dramatic moment when the infant Moses, recently discovered in the bulrushes, is presented to the daughter of Pharaoh, establishing the central tension of the Exodus story. The detailed composition, featuring multiple figures and ornate architecture, reflects the established historical style popular during the period 1751 to 1775.

This piece stands as a significant example of how prints functioned as a major vehicle for artistic consumption and dissemination in Georgian Britain. Hogarth’s composition, expertly executed by Sullivan, captures both the narrative drama and the period's prevailing interest in classical and scriptural history. The clarity and precision achieved through the careful combination of engraving and etching ensured that the resulting prints effectively communicated the original design's complexity. This historically important artwork is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Like many classic 18th-century British prints, Moses Brought to Pharaoh's Daughter is often available through institutional public domain initiatives, ensuring its accessibility for continued study and enjoyment.