Moses Striking Water from the Rock and The Bronze Serpent are related to frescos on the same subjects in the apse of the basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome. Those decorations commissioned in 1743 by the procurer general of the Cistercians and abbot of Santa Croce, Raimondo Besozzi, were paid by Pope Benedict XIV. As was his custom, Giaquinto painted various versions of the compositions for the apse. Those at the National Gallery of London are larger (136.5 x 95 cm) and very finished, and are considered presentation sketches for the pope. In comparison, the works from the Arango Collection differ in some details of the landscape and in certain figures while their measurements and subjects correspond to those of two works inventoried in 1815 upon the death of Pablo Recio, canon and royal chaplain, which were then appraised at 1,100 reals. Moses Striking Water from the Rock was described in that inventory as: one of the best-drawn and best-colored sketches by don Corrado Guiacuinto. Its composition is the richest and best ordered. It has the most beautiful highlights and an admirable tone reigns through its colors. The same document describes The Bronze Serpent as a painting of the best group in its composition with an admirable harmony in all its shades.