Michelangelo’s Moses, the famous sculpture housed in the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome, depicts the biblical patriarch with two horns on his head. This detail, also present in other representations of Moses throughout the history of art, stems from a translation error found in the “Vulgate”. It is the first Latin version of the Bible completed in the 4th century by St. Jerome.
In the original Hebrew text of Exodus (XXXIV, 29), it states that when Moses descended from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the Law, his face emitted karan (rays of light) due to his encounter with God. However, St. Jerome mistakenly translated the Hebrew word karan (ray) as keren (horn), giving rise to an iconography that depicts Moses with horns.
Michelangelo’s Moses: the horns as a distinctive element of the sculpture
Michelangelo, following the version of the Bible used in his time, represented the detail of the horns, which became the distinctive features of his sculpture. Despite this peculiarity, Michelangelo’s Moses retains its majestic and solemn character, embodying the power and spirituality of the biblical figure.
The horns should not be interpreted negatively, but rather as a symbol of authority and divine closeness. It’s a sign of Moses’ transformation after direct contact with God. This translation error, while curious, has profoundly influenced art and the iconographic perception of the patriarch. It left a lasting impact on the history of artistic representation. Michelangelo’s Moses, with his penetrating gaze and imposing physical presence, remains one of the most captivating works of the Renaissance. It’s capable of evoking emotion and wonder, even due to this controversial and intriguing detail.
Moses
Moses is a central figure in the Bible, known for leading the Israelites out of Egypt and receiving the Tablets of the Law on Mount Sinai. He is considered a prophet and a lawgiver, symbolizing liberation and faith. His stories, collected in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, highlight his unique relationship with God and his role in Israelite history.
St. Jerome
St. Jerome is an important Church Father and translator, known for creating the Vulgate, the first Latin translation of the Bible, in the 4th century. He was born in Dalmatia and dedicated his life to the study of the Scriptures. He is venerated as a saint by both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and his work has had a tremendous influence on Western theology and culture.
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