“She Had Compassion”

This painting is a tribute to courage and compassion.  It features a princess of Egypt, who was willing to ignore Pharaoh's edict (see Exodus 1:22) in order to save a life—and, consequently, an entire people.

Seemingly, no one is watching as the infant reaches toward her reaching hands.  For all she knew, she was acting in absolute obscurity.  And if anyone besides her maid-servants were watching, her position of privilege and power might seem to preclude accountability for her actions, particularly in view of the low status from which the infant evidently came.  The princess had no idea who the infant was, what he might become, or how the story would end.  Nevertheless, she had compassion in such circumstances, and changed the entire world as a result.  It is always thus with solitary moments, when it seems that no one is watching, that no one cares, that no one will be hurt, that no one will know.  Truly, in the words of Jude: And of some have compassion, making a difference (Jude 1:22).

The identity of this daughter of Pharoah is unknown, but the costuming of the figure is based on ancient Egyptian depictions of princesses and royalty in the court of Pharoah.  Her crown is a circlet loosely based on a gold filet crown belonging to the Nubian princess, Khnumet, and features a lotus blossom motif (an ancient Egyptian symbol for birth), as well as lapus lazuli gems (the color symbolizing the tribe of Levi in priestly garments—see Exodus 28).  The surcote (robe) she wears is typical of the era in both design and pattern.  The colors of the robe's design are based on wall paintings from Queen Nefertari, as well as the diadems of King Tut's crown jewels.  Her tightly wound spiral curls are also characteristic of the intricate wigs common at the time.

The setting for the painting is based on the wonders of the Nile River.  The reeds (translated flags in the KJV) are the common reed (Phragmites australis) and reed mace (genus Typha) among which scholars believe she discovered Jochebed's hand-woven basket.  The basket itself is made from the locally native papyrus plant whose weave was inspired by the ancient boat baskets of Vietnam.  The small blue dragonfly (Orthetrum chrysostigma) at the lower left of the reed mace is native to Egypt.