Robert DOWLING
England 1827 – England 1886
Australia 1834-1857, 1884-1886

Moses viewing the Promised Land from Mount Nebo 1879
watercolour with bodycolour on paper
73.5 (h) x 53.5 (w) cm
Private collection

In Moses viewing the Promised Land Dowling depicted the lone figure of Moses, having led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness for 40 years, surveying the sweeping vista of the promised land of Canaan, where he will never tread. The native cyclamen flower at his feet is the symbol of resignation and farewell.