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Shostal Associates, New York, NY

“Between the placing and the discovering” of Moses, author Trible tells us, the Bible introduces Miriam. “His sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him” (Exodus 2:4).

Although the French artist Eduard Ihlee (1812–1885) poses Pharaoh’s daughter affectedly, in European-style crown and heavy brocade gown, he captures the unaffected fear and bravery of a realistically adolescent Miriam, far right, as she waits for the right moment to intervene for her brother.

Speaking quickly and skillfully, Miriam mediates between Pharaoh’s daughter and her mother, to bring the two together.