David with the Head of Goliath (Pollaiuolo)
| David with the Head of Goliath | |
|---|---|
| Artist | Antonio and Piero del Pollaiuolo |
| Year | c. 1470 |
| Medium | Oil on poplar panel |
| Dimensions | 46.2 cm × 34 cm (18.2 in × 13 in) |
| Location | Gemäldegalerie, Berlin |
David with the Head of Goliath is an oil-on-poplar panel painting by Italian artists Antonio and Piero del Pollaiuolo, dated to around 1470.[1][2] It is currently held at the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, Germany.[3]
Unlike other paintings and sculptures of David from the period, it had no known association with the Florentine government or the House of Medici and therefore likely hung on the wall of a private palace.[3] It is 46.2 cm × 34 cm.[4]
Description
The painting depicts David in a refined manner, with his sling obscured along his side. His aristocratic clothing suggests David's future status as the King of Israel, while his sandals hint to the viewer at his past as a young shepherd. Goliath's aged, severed head and weak expression contrast the elegant and youthful David.[3]
References
- ^ "David". Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (in German). Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ "David als Sieger". Marburg Picture Index (in German). Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ a b c Wright 2005, p. 72–74, 518.
- ^ "David met het hoofd van Goliat (1 Samuel 17:48-55)". Netherlands Institute for Art History (in Dutch). Retrieved 10 June 2025.
Sources
- Wright, Alison (2005). The Pollaiuolo Brothers: The Arts of Florence and Rome. Yale University Press. ISBN 0300106254.
External links
- Media related to David with Goliath's head by Antonio del Pollaiuolo at Wikimedia Commons