Artwork
David with the Head of Goliath
David with the Head of Goliath is an ink print by the Baroque artist Paul Troger. It dates from 1724 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created circa 1724, this etching on laid paper presents the biblical hero David clutching the severed head of Goliath.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1724, this etching on laid paper presents the biblical hero David clutching the severed head of Goliath. Executed by Austrian artist Paul Troger, the work belongs to the late Baroque period and reflects his interest in dramatic narrative scenes rendered in print form.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures the climactic moment of the David and Goliath story, symbolising the triumph of the underdog over a seemingly invincible foe. By foregrounding the victorious youth with the giant’s head, Troger emphasizes themes of divine favor, courage, and the moral victory of faith against brute force.
Technique & Style
Troger employed the etching process, incising lines into a metal plate and transferring them onto laid paper. The technique allows for fine detailing and subtle tonal variations, which he uses to model the figures’ musculature and the texture of the severed head. The composition retains the Baroque penchant for dynamic movement and chiaroscuro, despite the monochrome medium.
History & Provenance
The print originates from Troger’s workshop in early 18th‑century Austria, a period when he was primarily known for large ceiling frescoes. While the etching was likely produced for a limited audience of collectors and fellow artists, it demonstrates his versatility beyond monumental painting. Its survival in museum collections attests to the continued interest in his graphic output.
Legacy
Troger’s reputation as a leading Baroque painter extended into the late 1700s, shaping the work of successors such as Franz Anton Maulbertsch and Johann Wenzel Bergl. The David and Goliath motif, a recurrent subject in European art, provided Troger an opportunity to apply his dramatic visual language to a print, reinforcing his impact on Austrian artistic circles.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Troger (30 October 1698 – 20 July 1762) was an Austrian painter, draughtsman, and printmaker of the late Baroque period.
