Artwork

David and Goliath, Cartoon for Stained Glass Window at Jesus College, Cambridge

David and Goliath, Cartoon for Stained Glass Window at Jesus College, Cambridge is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Ford Madox Brown. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1872 drawing by Ford Madox Brown is a cartoon for a stained glass window at Jesus College, Cambridge, depicting the biblical story of David's triumph over Goliath.

Subject & Meaning

The work illustrates the pivotal moment of David's victory, conveying themes of triumph and the underdog's success through the dramatic pose of the youthful David and the lifeless form of the giant Goliath.

Technique & Style

Executed in a detailed, narrative style influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite movement, the drawing utilizes chiaroscuro to create depth, with a muted, earthy color palette enhancing the sense of tension and drama.

History & Provenance

Created in 1872 by British artist Ford Madox Brown for a specific stained glass window commission at Jesus College, Cambridge, reflecting his penchant for moral and historical subjects.

Context

Part of a broader Victorian interest in religious and historical themes, this work aligns with Brown's graphic style and the Pre-Raphaelite emphasis on detail and moral narrative.

Legacy

As a preparatory cartoon, its legacy is intertwined with the stained glass window it was designed for, contributing to the artistic and religious heritage of Jesus College, Cambridge.

Artist & collection

Artist

Ford Madox Brown

Ford Madox Brown (16 April 1821 – 6 October 1893) was a British painter of moral and historical subjects, notable for his distinctively graphic and often Hogarthian version of the Pre-Raphaelite style.