Lorenzo Costa – The Story of Moses (The Dance of Miriam) Part 4 National Gallery UK

Here we observe a scene of jubilant celebration set within a landscape dominated by rolling hills and a dramatic sky. A group of figures is engaged in what appears to be a dance or ritualistic movement, centered around three women who are actively interacting with one another through gestures of connection. Their garments – flowing robes in shades of red, green, and orange – suggest an atmosphere of festivity and perhaps even royalty.
The composition is structured around this central group, which is surrounded by a larger assembly of men, women, and children. The figures are arranged in a somewhat shallow space, creating a sense of immediacy for the viewer. A significant number of individuals are positioned further back, receding into the landscape and suggesting a broader community participating in the event. Some carry what appear to be musical instruments or ceremonial objects, reinforcing the notion of a celebratory occasion.
The background is notable for its atmospheric perspective; distant mountains fade into a hazy blue, creating depth and emphasizing the vastness of the setting. A solitary tree stands prominently on the right side of the canvas, acting as a visual anchor and providing a contrast to the open expanse of the landscape. The presence of what seems to be a fortified structure atop one of the hills in the distance hints at a settled civilization or established order within this narrative context.
Subtleties in the figures’ expressions suggest a range of emotions – joy, reverence, and perhaps even awe. The central women seem particularly animated, their gestures conveying a sense of ecstatic release. The older man with a beard, positioned near the center of the group, appears to be leading or guiding the celebration, his posture suggesting authority and wisdom.
The overall impression is one of communal rejoicing following a significant event – likely a triumph or deliverance. The landscape’s grandeur reinforces the magnitude of this occasion, while the figures gestures and expressions convey a profound sense of spiritual connection and shared experience. There is an underlying current of narrative tension; the scene feels like a moment captured mid-action, leaving the viewer to ponder the events that preceded it and what might follow.