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David playing before Saul

David playing before Saul
 (c. 1630-1640)

Medium
brush and grey and black wash heightened with white on dark grey paper
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1960
Gallery location
17th Century & Flemish Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
 

About this work

Leonard Bramer was a prolific painter and draughtsman from Delft, who spent his formative years in France and Italy. His earliest painting is dated 1630, after he had returned to the Netherlands, although his choice of subjects reflects his preoccupations with Italian rather than Dutch art. This drawing belongs to a series depicting scenes from the Old Testament, portraying an incident related in the Book of Samuel: ‘And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.’

Artwork Details

Medium
brush and grey and black wash heightened with white on dark grey paper
Measurements
39.2 × 30.8 cm (sheet)
Inscription
inscribed in pen and ink u.r.: 37
Accession Number
691-5
Department
International Prints and Drawings
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1960
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of the Joe White Bequest
Gallery location
17th Century & Flemish Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
Subjects (general)
Human Figures Musical Religion and Mythology
Subjects (specific)
David, King of Israel (Old Testament character) harps (chordophones) Life of David (Old Testament narratives) musical instruments musical performances Saul, King of Israel (Old Testament character)

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