Moses and the Brazen Serpent: Look and Live by Franz Friedrich Franck

Moses and the Brazen Serpent: Look and Live
Franz Friedrich Franck (German, 1627–1687)

Oil on Canvas
38 x 64 in.

Franz Friedrich Franck, a German Baroque painter, was renowned for his evocative biblical narratives and his dramatic use of light and shadow. Influenced by both Flemish and Italian Baroque traditions, Franck’s works are characterized by their emotional depth, dynamic compositions, and theological resonance.

Moses and the Brazen Serpent: Look and Live portrays a pivotal moment from the Book of Numbers (21:4–9), where the Israelites, suffering from deadly snake bites, are instructed by Moses to look upon a bronze serpent lifted on a pole to be healed. The scene is a striking allegory of faith and divine mercy. Figures in the foreground writhe in pain, while others gaze at the brazen serpent with hope, exemplifying the concept of "Look and live"—a call to trust in God’s provision for salvation.

This imagery also serves as a type of Christ, prefiguring the crucifixion. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the serpent, Christians believe that salvation is granted through faith in Christ, who was lifted up on the cross for the sins of humanity.

Franck’s composition heightens the spiritual drama through masterful contrasts of light and dark. The radiant figure of Moses and the glowing serpent pole draw the viewer’s attention amid the chaos, symbolizing redemption amid suffering. The darkened sky and writhing figures underscore the gravity of human frailty, while the light breaking through the clouds hints at divine grace and hope.

This painting exemplifies Franck’s ability to convey profound theological themes with emotional intensity, making it a powerful representation of faith, repentance, and redemption.