Famous Michelangelo’s Marble Statue of Moses for Sale

The marble statue Moses by Michelangelo depicts Moses as a magnificent figure. He was nearly eight feet tall when he sat down! He has huge muscular arms and angry and intense eyes. Moses did not simply sit down; his left leg was pulled back to the side of the chair as if he was about to stand up. Since this leg was pulled back, his hips also face to the left.

This marble statue of Moses was completed around 1515 AD. Currently located in the Church of St. Peter in Chains (San Pietro in Vincoli) in Rome. This statue was originally part of a grandiose tomb plan for Julius II that included several sculptures, architectural structures, and decorative elements. However, due to financial and political problems, the project was eventually scaled back considerably, and Michelangelo’s Moses became the most famous legacy of the unfinished project.

Moses Sculpture located in the Church of St. Peter in Rome

Who’s Moses?

Moses was the national leader of the Jews in the 13th century BC. Jews believed that he was the founder of Judaism. He is considered to be an extremely important prophet in the religions of Abraham. According to the tradition of the Israelites, the Pentateuch was written by them. Generally speaking, Moses is regarded as a legend, while retaining the possibility of Moses or a figure similar to Moses in the 13th century BC.

The Moses statue by Michelangelo is a true testament to his extraordinary artistic genius, deeply rooted in religious symbolism and humanistic expression. Today, we’ll guide you through this iconic masterpiece and uncover some lesser-known facts about it.

Things You Might Not Know About the Moses Statue

The Secret of the “Horns”

If you closely examine Moses’ head, you’ll notice two small “horns.” This unique feature wasn’t Michelangelo’s creative choice but rather a result of a mistranslation in the Latin Vulgate Bible. The word “keren,” used to describe Moses’ appearance after descending from Mount Sinai, was translated as “horns” instead of its true meaning: “rays of light” or “radiance.” Michelangelo stayed faithful to the biblical text of his time and sculpted the horns, which have since become an iconic element of this statue.

Dynamic Stillness

Michelangelo was known for his ability to infuse motion into static sculptures. Though Moses is seated, his pose is brimming with dynamic energy. His legs slightly turn to one side, muscles tense, as if he’s ready to rise at any moment. His right hand grasps his long beard, while his left cradles the stone tablets, creating the impression of deep thought or imminent action. This composition gives the statue a lifelike vitality.

The Expression of Anger

Moses’ expression carries a hint of anger, reflecting a key moment in the biblical story. According to the Bible, Moses descended from Mount Sinai to find the Israelites worshipping the golden calf, which enraged him so much that he shattered the stone tablets. Michelangelo captured this raw emotion in Moses’ face and the tension in his hands, conveying a powerful sense of righteous fury.

The Unfinished History

Originally, the Moses statue was part of an ambitious tomb project for Pope Julius II, which was meant to include over 40 sculptures. However, the plan was significantly scaled down due to various circumstances, resulting in only a few completed statues. Among them, Moses stands out as the centerpiece and has since gained immense historical and artistic significance.

Interested in a Reproduction of the Moses Statue? 

If you’ve been captivated by Michelangelo’s Moses and want to bring a high-quality replica to your space, we’re here to help.YouFine is a professional marble sculpture factory with a team of highly skilled artists. Our mission is to faithfully recreate iconic works of art with the highest level of craftsmanship.

Moses statue replica by YouFine