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Moses Receiving the Law on Mount Sinai

Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

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The central composition focuses upon the central figure of Moses who reaches upwards to pluck the second tablet from the ether. Two surrounding figures have been identified as American artists Gilbert Stuart (in profile, lower right) and John Trumbull (far left) both of whom were in West's studio and may have assisted in the execution. This immense canvas was originally intended to hang above the alter in Windsor Castle as part of the scheme to decorate the Royal Chapel for George III. George IV then gave the canvases to West's sons and these were sold in 1829. The painting has hung above the west door in St Stephen's Entrance since the 1950s when it was discovered that it would be too big to hang in its intended place the Law Courts. It was deemed suitable for position near Westminster Hall, where the law Courts had originally been situated.
Title

Moses Receiving the Law on Mount Sinai

Date

1784

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 548.6 x W 373.3 cm

Accession number

WOA 5215

Work type

Painting

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Parliamentary Art Collection

The Curator's Office, Department of Information Services, House of Commons, 1 Canon Row, Greater London SW1A 0AA England

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