Moses and the Brazen Serpent
- Artist: Peter Paul Rubens
- Date: 1609-10
- Medium: oil on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the "Moses and the Brazen Serpent" by Peter Paul Rubens. Painted in October 1609, it’s an oil on panel that captures a dramatic moment from the Old Testament. In the story, God sends a plague of poisonous snakes to punish the Israelites for their doubt. Moses cries out, and God responds by giving him a bronze serpent on a cross. When the people look at the serpent, they’re healed. Rubens brings that scene to life with his masterful use of anatomy and motion. Notice how the figures are twisted, their bodies contorted in a way that feels almost theatrical. The light falls dramatically across the faces, emphasizing the sense of urgency. Rubens also uses color to heighten the drama—deep reds for the blood, the bright coppery glow of the serpent, and the earthy tones of the desert background. It’s a striking example of Baroque energy, where emotion is amplified through dynamic composition and vivid detail. Watching this painting, you can almost feel the tension of the Israelites’ fear and the relief that follows as they gaze upon the serpent.
See it in person
Moses and the Brazen Serpent hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
