Artwork
David Playing before Saul
David Playing before Saul is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Emanuel Leutze. It dates from 1853 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
David Playing before Saul is a lithograph created by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze in 1853. The print is executed in black on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates a biblical scene where David plays his harp to soothe King Saul. The composition depicts a crowded room with figures reacting to the performance, conveying a sense of intense emotion.
Technique & Style
Leutze employed sharp lines and dark contrasts to create a dramatic atmosphere, capturing a moment of heightened feeling. The use of lithography allowed for the production of detailed prints with nuanced tonal ranges.
Context
Leutze was associated with the Düsseldorf school and was known for large-scale historical paintings, such as Washington Crossing the Delaware.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Emanuel Leutze grew up in America but moved to Germany as a teen, where he studied art in Düsseldorf.
![Study of Half-Length Figure with Pole [verso], by Emanuel Leutze](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/emanuel-leutze--study-of-half-length-figure-with-pole-verso--13a43a492f70c459-w320.webp)
