Moses is a sculpture by the brilliant master Michelangelo Buonarroti, created based on biblical texts. The genius put into the figure of the Old Testament prophet the idea of ​​a lofty moral feat, which the human essence is capable of — the feat of suppressing base passions in the name of divine destiny.

In the angry saint, who, seeing the apostasy of the people from God’s law, is ready to destroy the tablets of the Covenant with the Ten Commandments, the master created an exalted image of a leader, a man of strong and passionate character.

Sculpture Moses by Michelangelo Buonarroti – psychological dynamism in plastic embodiment

Moses is represented by the sculptor in a seated position. The body of the prophet is directed forward, and his head with a thick beard is turned to the left. The hero’s right foot rests completely on the surface, while the left is raised in such a way that only the toes are in contact with the ground. It seems that the giant is about to get up. Under his right hand he holds the tablets, and the left lies on his knees.

The name of the sculpture: “Moses” (Italian Mose).
Author: Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564).
Year of creation: 1515
Height: 235 cm.
Style: Renaissance.
Genre: Religious.
Material: Marble.
Location: San Pietro in Vincoli (Italian: Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli al Colle Oppio), Rome, Italy.

Michelangelo Buonarroti is the greatest sculptor of the 16th century.

The genius expressed his persistent and firm judgments with pictorial works. In his works there is praise for the physical beauty and the spiritual world of man. “Moses” is part of the grandiose, but never realized plan for the tomb of Pope Julius II.

A huge three-level memorial, consisting of forty sculptures, was supposed. The fundamental project did not see the light of day due to the economic problems of the heirs of the pontiff. Initially, the statue of Moses was planned to be placed in the Basilica of the Apostle Peter in the Vatican.

For this purpose, the artist performed several more sculptural works, which were not included in the final version due to changes in the scale of the structure. Art historians believe that the project was the tragedy of Buonarroti’s entire life, as he failed to complete the work in the form in which he wanted. According to the Soviet specialist in the field of Italian Renaissance art, Professor Viktor Nikitich Lazarev, in its current form, the architectural composition of the tomb looks empty compared to the artist’s intention.

The sculpture “Moses” by Michelangelo Buonarroti is a monumental creation filled with deep biblical and philosophical meaning. This work, combining the ideals of classical human beauty and detailed naturalism, will attract the attention of an enthusiastic public for a long time to come.