Who painted Saul and David?

Saul and David was painted by Ciro Ferri in 1661.

Where can I see Saul and David?

Saul and David is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Saul and David?

Saul and David is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Saul and David

Ciro Ferri , 1661

Saul and David is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Ciro Ferri. It dates from 1661 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1661 by the Italian Baroque artist Ciro Ferri, this oil painting portrays a biblical episode in which the youthful David seeks to pacify King Saul through music. Executed during the early Baroque period, the work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates the moment described in the First Book of Samuel when David, harp in hand, attempts to soothe the tormented king. The crowned figure of Saul sits upon a raised platform, while David stands nearby, his spear lowered, emphasizing the contrast between royal authority and the restorative power of art.

Technique & Style

Ferri employs a pronounced chiaroscuro that models the figures against a cloudy sky and distant trees, generating a dramatic spatial recession. The interplay of light and shadow highlights the central pair, while the surrounding armed men, rendered in muted tones, reinforce the tension of the scene.

History & Provenance

Trained under Pietro da Cortona, Ferri completed this canvas as part of his mature output for ecclesiastical and court patrons. The painting entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on display as an example of Italian Baroque narrative painting.

Context

The work reflects the Baroque fascination with dynamic storytelling and emotional intensity, aligning with contemporary religious and moral themes that emphasized music’s capacity to alleviate suffering. Ferri’s treatment of the biblical narrative mirrors the period’s broader interest in dramatizing scriptural moments for devotional contemplation.