Old Masters · 1 Samuel 17:49 · 4 October 2026 · 5 works
David and Goliath
And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
Five paintings, from the boy on a parade shield to Caravaggio's late, dark version.
This David is painted on a leather shield that was made to be carried in processions. He is still swinging the sling, and the head of Goliath already lies at his feet: two moments in one picture.
David kneels on the fallen giant and binds the hair of the severed head with a cord, calmly, like someone tying up a parcel. His own face is in shadow.
Rubens chooses the stroke itself. Goliath lies on the ground, and David raises the giant's own sword with both hands.
Reni's David wears a red hat with a feather and leans on a column. He has set the head on a stone block, holds it by the hair and looks at it, more curious than triumphant.
David holds the head out towards us and looks at it with something close to pity. The face of Goliath is generally taken to be Caravaggio's own.
