Description
Rembrandt's painting Moses Smashing the Tablets of the Law is a masterpiece depicting the biblical prophet Moses smashing the tablets of the law in an act of divine wrath. The painting was created in 1659 and is one of the artist's last works.
Rembrandt's artistic style is evident in the painting, with his characteristic use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and drama. The figure of Moses is impressive, with his muscular body and anguished face. The composition is equally impressive, with Moses at the center of the image and the secondary characters arranged in a triangular pattern around him.
The color in the painting is vibrant and rich, with gold and brown tones creating a feeling of warmth and depth. The use of color is particularly effective in the clothing of the supporting characters, who are dressed in exquisite and detailed fabrics.
The story behind the painting is equally interesting. The scene depicts a dramatic moment in the biblical story, when Moses returns from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the law to discover that the Israelites have been worshiping a golden calf. In his anger, Moses breaks the tablets of the law and orders the calf worshipers to be punished.
One of the lesser known aspects of the painting is that Rembrandt is believed to have portrayed himself as Moses. The figure of the prophet shares many physical features with the artist, including his beard and curly hair.
In short, Rembrandt's painting Moses Smashing the Tablets of the Law is a masterpiece that combines a stunning artistic style with dramatic composition and rich Biblical history. It is one of the artist's last works and remains an impressive example of his skill and talent.