Egyptian Scene (possibly Moses and Zipporah)

Field painted a number of biblical scenes, including a series on the plagues of Egypt. An unknown number of canvases were executed for the North Amherst Congregational Church, but there are only nine surviving, including "Death of the First Born" (66.242.24). This work, though unrelated to the plagues, may be one of the set. Once entitled “Arranging the Wedding" or "Egyptian Families Discussing the Wedding," the scene illustrated is possibly that of Moses' marriage to Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro (Exodus 2:11–22). The presence of a white dress, pseudo-Egyptian hieroglyphics, and a young couple on the right would support this conclusion. The picture shares the strange appearance of Field's other biblical scenes, with its unnaturally intense color and harsh lighting, skewed perspective, and stiff distorted figures. Though somewhat awkward, these effects increase the dramatic impact of the scene.