Who painted King David Doing Penance?

King David Doing Penance was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1510.

Where can I see King David Doing Penance?

King David Doing Penance is held by Rosenwald Collection.

What movement is King David Doing Penance?

King David Doing Penance is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

King David Doing Penance

Albrecht Dürer , 1510

King David Doing Penance is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the Rosenwald Collection.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut titled *King David Doing Penance* dates from 1510, when the artist was roughly thirty‑nine years old. Executed on laid paper, the print forms part of a larger series of seventeen images that narrate episodes from the biblical king’s life. The composition captures a solitary, contemplative moment, emphasizing the spiritual gravity of David’s repentance.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents an elderly David kneeling with his head bowed, arms lifted, and a staff propped against his knee. His disheveled hair and beard convey a sense of weariness, while his downcast expression suggests sorrow and penitence. The work visualizes the biblical theme of royal humility before God, highlighting the king’s personal contrition.

Technique & Style

Rendered as a woodcut, the image relies on sharply cut lines that define the figure’s form and the surrounding space. The crisp incisions create a stark contrast on the laid‑paper surface, producing a quiet, introspective atmosphere. The handling of line and tonal modulation recalls Dürer’s approach in his engravings, where precision and subtle gradations convey emotional depth.

History & Provenance

Created during Dürer’s mature period, the print was likely intended for devotional or illustrative purposes within the larger David series. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been documented in several catalogues of Dürer’s prints and remains a representative example of his early 16th‑century printmaking output.