Lucas van Leyden, David Playing the Harp before Saul
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Ralph King, 1923.774 · The Cleveland Museum of Art, Open Access (CC0)View original →
Lucas van Leyden

David Playing the Harp before Saul

c. 1508

Current Collection

Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Medium
engraving
Status
In Museum Collection
Collect24 Art ID
C24-213706

A skillful player of the harp, David was summoned to the court of King Saul in order to console the king who was often tormented by melancholy. Lucas van Leyden masterfully captured the despair of the king who sits uncomfortably upon his throne, his right foot angled convulsively over the left one, his gaze a blank stare. While playing, David looks calmly upon the ruler, as if to convey his confidence that music will provide the necessary balm to soothe the king’s soul.

Provenance

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Ralph King, 1923.774

Registry history

  • c. 1508 — Recorded in the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art — prints

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