David and the head of Goliath
Statuette
early 16th century (made)
early 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This statuette represents David after his victory over Goliath.
David was a shepherd boy, who became King of Israel. The battle between the two derives from the Old Testament. Goliath was the head of the Philistines who were facing the Israelites in the Valley of Elah. For forty days Goliath appears and asks the Israelites to send him a champion to fight with him in a single combat. David is the one who in the end accepts the challenge, but solely equipped with a sling and some stones and a staff - in contrast to Goliath who was wearing armor and shield. David succeeds and cuts Goliath's head off.
In Christian tradition this symbolizes the victory of right over wrong or the Church's fight and victory against Satan.
David was a shepherd boy, who became King of Israel. The battle between the two derives from the Old Testament. Goliath was the head of the Philistines who were facing the Israelites in the Valley of Elah. For forty days Goliath appears and asks the Israelites to send him a champion to fight with him in a single combat. David is the one who in the end accepts the challenge, but solely equipped with a sling and some stones and a staff - in contrast to Goliath who was wearing armor and shield. David succeeds and cuts Goliath's head off.
In Christian tradition this symbolizes the victory of right over wrong or the Church's fight and victory against Satan.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | David and the head of Goliath (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, bronze, David and Goliath, Italy, early 16th century |
| Physical description | David stands naked, a helmet on his head and the sling round his waist. In his right hand he holds a curved sword and in his left the head of Goliath with a stone stuck in his forehead. Dark patina, partly cleaned off the dull-coloured bronze. On a triangular base. Brown wooden block. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | From the Salting bequest |
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This statuette represents David after his victory over Goliath. David was a shepherd boy, who became King of Israel. The battle between the two derives from the Old Testament. Goliath was the head of the Philistines who were facing the Israelites in the Valley of Elah. For forty days Goliath appears and asks the Israelites to send him a champion to fight with him in a single combat. David is the one who in the end accepts the challenge, but solely equipped with a sling and some stones and a staff - in contrast to Goliath who was wearing armor and shield. David succeeds and cuts Goliath's head off. In Christian tradition this symbolizes the victory of right over wrong or the Church's fight and victory against Satan. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.127-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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