The Finding of Infant Moses in the Bullrushes

Both this painting and William Hogarth’s 'Moses Brought Before Pharaoh’s Daughter' (which was displayed next to it in the Court Room) illustrate episodes from the Old Testament. Hayman’s painting shows Moses being brought to the Pharaoh’s daughter after he is found in the bullrushes on the banks of the Nile. Moses’ mother had placed her son in a basket on the river so he would escape the persecution of Jewish children ordered by the Pharaoh. In Hayman’s scene Moses is being handed to a wet nurse, who is actually his real mother. The Egyptian Princess is unaware of the wet nurse’s true identity.

Hayman was born in Devon and later moved to London where he resided on Drury Lane. He made his name painting for the supper boxes and the Royal Pavilion at Vauxhall Gardens. Hayman produced many paintings for Vauxhall’s proprietor Jonathan Tyers, including a number of family conversation pieces. He also painted a number of theatrical and literary subjects, including scenes from Shakespeare's plays. Hayman was President of the Society of Artists between 1766 and 1768, after which he became a founder member of the Royal Academy. He was elected a Governor of the Foundling Hospital in 1746 and presented this picture to the Hospital that year.