Skip to main content

Primary sourcePaintingearly 1630s

The Finding of Moses

Orazio Gentileschi · early 1630s

A painting by Orazio Gentileschi commissioned by Charles I for Henrietta Maria to celebrate the birth of their son, the future Charles II.

Charles I commissioned this painting for Henrietta Maria to celebrate the birth of their son, the future Charles II.

Ask Charles I about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Painting of several women in renaissance-style dress gathered outdoors under trees. A woman in a gold gown points toward a basket holding an infant, while a kneeling woman in white reaches to lift it. Other women in red, blue, green and purple gesture around them under a cloudy sky with distant hills.
Orazio Gentileschi, The Finding of Moses, early 1630s. National Gallery, London.

About this source

What it is

This painting by Orazio Gentileschi, made in the early 1630s, shows the biblical story of the infant Moses being found in the river. Charles I commissioned it for his wife Henrietta Maria, and it was painted for the Queen's House in Greenwich. It is now in the National Gallery, London.

Why it matters

The painting celebrated the birth of Charles I's son and heir, the future Charles II, showing how the royal couple used art to mark important family events. It also reflects Charles's practice of bringing foreign artists like Gentileschi to his court. After Charles's execution, the painting was returned to Henrietta Maria in France.

Look closer

  • Why might a biblical story about a rescued infant have been chosen to celebrate the birth of a royal heir?
  • What does the painting's later confusion with another artist's work tell you about how reputations and attributions can change over time?
  • What role did foreign artists play at Charles I's court, based on this commission?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Charles I on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Charles I sources

Meet the AI Charles I →
Photograph of a parchment document with handwritten text in brown ink, a column of signatures on the lower half, and rows of red wax seals hanging down the signature area. The text begins 'Whereas Charles Stewart'. The parchment lies on a grey background.Document

Primary source

Death Warrant of King Charles I

High Court of Justice commissioners · 29 January 1649

Title page of a 1649 printed pamphlet, 'King Charls his Speech made upon the Scaffold at Whitehall-Gate', printed by Peter Cole in London. A library stamp from the Royal Irish Academy overlays the text. Decorative floral borders frame the page.Speech

Primary source

King Charles his Speech made upon the Scaffold at Whitehall-Gate

Charles I · 30 January 1649

Title page of Eikon Basilike, 1648 reprint. Greek heading 'Eikon Basilike' above English title 'The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in His Solitudes and Sufferings', with Romans 8 'More then Conquerour, &c.', a Latin motto 'Bona agere, & mala pati, Regium est', and 'Reprinted In R.M. Anno Dom. 1648'.Book

Secondary source

Eikon Basilike

Attributed to Charles I (possibly John Gauden) · 1649

Scan of the handwritten Petition of Right manuscript on aged parchment. Ornate decorated initial letters begin with the words 'To the King's most Excellent Majestie' at top. Dense brown ink script fills most of the page, with a larger decorated 'H' initial starting the lower paragraph.Document

Primary source

Petition of Right

Edward Coke (drafting committee) · 7 June 1628

Scanned title page of 'A Perfect Narrative of the Whole Proceedings of the High Court of Justice in the Tryall of the King', printed text in black on white paper, with handwritten number 12 at top left. Imprimatur by Gilbert Mabbot, printed for John Playford, London, dated Jan. 23, 1649.Document

Primary source

A Perfect Narrative of the Whole Proceedings of the High Court of Justice in the Tryal of the King

Published by order of the High Court of Justice · 23 January 1649

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Charles I now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions