Artwork
David and Goliath
David and Goliath is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Daniele da Volterra. It dates from 1552 and is held in the collection of the Palace of Versailles.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1555, this double‑sided work by the Italian Mannerist Daniele da Volterra is executed in oil on slate. Both faces of the slab depict the same biblical episode, with the composition centered on the moment when the youthful David stands triumphantly over the fallen giant Goliath. The piece is part of the Louvre’s collection in Paris.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures the climax of the David‑and‑Goliath narrative: a barefoot youth, sword in hand and a stone still clutched, towers over the collapsed warrior, whose armor and turban lie scattered. The juxtaposition of the diminutive victor against the massive corpse underscores themes of divine favor and the triumph of humility over brute force.
Technique & Style
Rendered on slate, the painting employs a stark chiaroscuro that heightens the three‑dimensionality of the figures. Light falls on David’s muscular torso and the gleam of Goliath’s armor, while deep shadows envelop the background, a stormy sky punctuated by distant trees. The medium’s smooth surface allows fine modeling of flesh and metal.
History & Provenance
Daniele da Volterra, a close associate of Michelangelo, produced the work in the mid‑sixteenth century, likely for a private patron interested in biblical subjects. The slate panel entered the Louvre’s holdings in the nineteenth century, where it has remained on display, offering insight into the artist’s later oeuvre.
Context
The painting reflects the Mannerist fascination with dramatic tension and exaggerated poses, moving away from the balanced compositions of the High Renaissance. Its subject, popular among Counter‑Reformation patrons, allowed the artist to explore moralizing content while showcasing virtuoso handling of light, shadow, and anatomical detail.
Artist & collection
Artist
Daniele Ricciarelli (Italian: ; c. 1509 – 4 April 1566), better known as Daniele da Volterra (, Italian: ), was a Mannerist Italian painter and sculptor. He is best remembered for his association with Michelangelo.…
