NARRATIVE: The film "The Ten Commandments" was nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1957 and is one of the most financially successful films of all time, ranking eighth for highest box office gross (adjusted for inflation). In 1999, the movie was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Industry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." It was Charlton Heston's leading role in this film that elevated him to Hollywood icon.

This painting depicts Charlton Heston in his most memorable performance as Moses, holding granite tablets with the Ten Commandments written on them. I pieced together different images from the movie to get the most dramatic pose.