Artwork
David and the Patriarchs with a Donor
David and the Patriarchs with a Donor is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Giovanni Battista II Maganza. It dates from 1613 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Executed in pen and brown ink over a graphite underdrawing on laid paper, the work measures a modest size typical of preparatory studies.
Giovanni Battista II Maganza’s drawing, dated circa 1613, depicts the biblical figure David alongside several patriarchal figures, accompanied by a kneeling donor. Executed in pen and brown ink over a graphite underdrawing on laid paper, the work measures a modest size typical of preparatory studies. Its composition balances narrative content with a clear demonstration of the artist’s handling of line and tone.
Subject & Meaning
The scene brings together David, the youthful hero of Israel, with older patriarchs, creating a visual dialogue between past and present. The donor’s kneeling posture, a conventional gesture of piety and patronage, situates the viewer within a devotional context, emphasizing reverence for both the biblical narrative and the benefactor’s humility.
Technique & Style
Maganza employs a restrained palette of brown ink, allowing subtle gradations of wash to model forms. The initial graphite sketch establishes the composition, while the ink delineates figures with confident hatching and cross‑hatching. The use of laid paper, with its visible ribbed texture, contributes to the drawing’s tactile quality and underscores the artist’s skill in rendering depth with limited means.
History & Provenance
Created in the early seventeenth century, the drawing reflects the period’s practice of producing detailed studies for larger works or private devotion. While specific ownership records are scarce, the inclusion of a donor suggests it may have been commissioned for a patron’s personal collection, a common practice among Italian artists of the time.
Artist & collection
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