2-982-417 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Bas-relief, "The Song of Miriam and Moses", by Mr. Gatley, for a mausoleum near Edinburgh, 1858. Decoration for a '...mausoleum intended to be erected to the memory of Mr. William Henry Millar...[The panel is] to be of Carrara marble...sixteen feet in height by eighteen in length...[and shows] a triumphal procession of sixteen figures, with camels and oxen bearing the spoils of the Egyptians. From the long captivity of the Israelites - nearly 400 years - it is fair to assume that they had in some degree adopted the costume of the country. In addition to this they were commanded to spoil the Egyptians. Miriam is therefore attired in the dress of an Egyptian priestess. She advances in a fine attitude, playing on a timbrel, and preceded by female figures bearing olive branches...Moses and Aaron, their arms raised triumphantly to heaven, follow Miriam and her maidens, and the procession is closed by camels, oxen, and their drivers...we recommend all lovers of art to pay a visit to Mr. Gatley's studio, to inspect the progress of this great and interesting undertaking'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.