Who painted David and Bathseba?

David and Bathseba was painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1526.

Where can I see David and Bathseba?

David and Bathseba is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is David and Bathseba?

David and Bathseba is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of David and Bathseba?

Museum-quality prints of David and Bathseba are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

David and Bathseba

Lucas Cranach the Elder , 1526

David and Bathseba is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1526 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Lucas Cranach the Elder painted the oil work titled *David and Bathseba* in 1526. The canvas, now part of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin collection, presents a garden scene that merges biblical narrative with courtly elegance, typical of Cranach’s early‑Renaissance output.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays the biblical episode of King David observing Bathsheba. Five women in richly dyed garments gather around a fountain, while a kneeling figure reaches toward the water. Above them, three men on a balcony watch, one holding a lute, suggesting a blend of voyeurism and courtly entertainment.

Technique & Style

Cranach employed a glazing technique, applying multiple translucent layers of pigment to achieve depth and luminous surfaces, especially evident in the sheen of the women’s gold‑trimmed dresses and the reflective water. The figures are rendered with the elongated proportions and crisp outlines characteristic of his workshop.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑1520s, the painting entered the German capital’s Gemäldegalerie collection, where it remains on display. Its provenance prior to museum acquisition is not extensively documented, but it reflects Cranach’s prolific production for both devotional and secular patrons.

Context

The work belongs to a period when Northern Renaissance artists frequently reinterpreted biblical stories within contemporary settings. By placing the biblical characters in a garden reminiscent of a courtly fête, Cranach aligns the narrative with the social customs of his patrons, merging sacred and secular themes.