Moses died in 1667 during the storming of Fort Languard near Felixstowe in England. Not long thereafter Gerard and Gesina painted this picture in memory of their youngest brother. Gerard painted Moses’ portrait, Gesina the background and the objects. These allude to Moses’ heroic death and the transience of life, such as time (the pocket watch), death (the skull), eternity (ivy on the rocks) and loyalty (the dogs).