Gustave Moreau: The Infant Moses
[Moïse Exposé sur le Nil] (c. 1876-c. 1878)

Gallery Text:
Paris hosted the 1878 Exposition universelle, or world’s fair, to celebrate France’s recovery after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. For the event, Gustave Moreau submitted a cycle of biblically themed paintings to reflect on the nation’s renewal. The series, which included this work as well as Jacob and the Angel (1874–78; also in Harvard’s collection) and David (1878), marked three stages of human life. Here Moreau celebrates the anticipation and promise associated with childhood: Moses, recognized by the rays emanating from his forehead, floats in his basket on the Nile, surrounded by the ruins of ancient Egypt. In a written commentary Moreau suggested the prophet’s enlightenment, noting the contrast between “this people of mummies, sphinxes, and gods with staring eyes and unmoving gaze” and “this fine human fruit full of sap and life.”

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"That's just how Renewal works. Always has. Probably always will."

I think of Renewal as a positive, uplifting experience, forgetting in the moment that considerable destruction often accompanies it. I always find the demolition parts of the operation particularly upsetting because I inevitably overlook the underlying price of the improvement. Our current front porch Renewal began with a series of disappointments, each of which seemed to preface eventual disaster. Our first concrete contractor proved unreliable. He poured a sample sidewalk to demonstrate his abilities, and that sidewalk failed.

Furthermore, he disappeared with some of our advance, saying he needed to buy materials. We later learned he’d gotten into drugs and had been cut off by each of his suppliers. He left us with a cracked and crooked sidewalk, squandered funds, and deep disappointment.

A year later, we found the courage or foolhardiness to restart our search for a reliable concrete contractor. We found one, but even his considerable enthusiasm could not prevent some setbacks during construction. He proved Decent enough to make good on his shortcomings, and we had a solid foundation as a result. However, I had imagined that we might replace that foundation while leaving the porch deck in place, but this would not be the case. Imagine my shock and surprise when the first stage of preparation for pouring the new porch foundation turned out to be the utter demolition of the deck, which hadn’t really needed replacing. A series of discouraging and disheartening experiences seasoned the following stages.

The cost expanded with each fresh discovery. We had to hire an engineering firm to draw up plans for supporting the porch roof to comply with the code. Beams needed to be bought and installed. Each stage took longer than I’d imagined and, of course, cost more. I tried to contribute by painting components, but even that meager contribution saved little beyond some turnaround time. I ultimately needed to hire painting help when I quietly overwhelmed myself. Who knew that I would experience just how young I’m not anymore by Renewing our front porch? Resolution was withheld as each stage opened into another, none of which left very much that looked very finished behind. The railings were painstakingly installed. The post cap fabrication, delayed.

Renewal might be completed by first snow, two years and more than a quarter since we first started the effort. The resulting Renewal will outlive us by a century, maybe more. I will always remain humbled by the unanticipated effort that was involved. Now, as our incumbent runs rampant through what most days seem like a destruction effort, I am freshly reminded how Renewal actually occurs. It’s mostly a mess. I confess that my faith flags on some days, yet I recall how the world tends to work. Indecency usually introduces a fresh appreciation for Decency, but first in its absence. Absence might well make the heart grow fonder, but not even the fondest hearts can immediately clean up any mess, and transitions tend to be incredibly messy.

I usually feel moved to confess that every improvement stands as a testament to my lack of faith that it would ever manifest, for I’ve never been able to hold that mustard seed with great conviction. I only see my world crumbling. That porch deck that I never wanted replaced inevitably becomes the first victim. My well-worn-in used-to-be becomes the first victim. Their replacements seem less substantial than daydreams for the longest time. I suspect that we’re presently experiencing something akin to a massive porch remodeling project, one that should result in a more perfect union. I suspect that once the Democrats regain decisive majorities in both houses of Congress and retake the presidency for the following two generations, a golden age greater than any prior one ever imagined will replace the disgrace our incumbent has inflicted upon us. Decency should prevail after a way-too-lengthy period of travail. That’s just how Renewal works. Always has. Probably always will.

©2025 by David A. Schmaltz - all rights reserved

Tags: #Decency, #PureSchmaltz