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Guercino, 'King David', 1651

About the work

Overview

King David was a biblical warrior king and musician, who is credited with writing several Psalms in the Old Testament. Here, David is not young but not yet old. He looks at a tablet inscribed with a line from a Psalm: ‘Glorious things of thee are spoken, O City of God’ (GLORIOSA / DICTA SVNT / DE TE CIVITAS / DEI). The luminous colouring and complex psychology exemplify Guercino’s achievements as a mature painter.

The painting was commissioned in 1651 by Giuseppe Locatelli of Cesena, together with a painting of one of the ancient Sibyls. David and the Sibyls were considered prophets of the coming of Christ. The original pendant to King David, the Cumaean Sibyl with a Putto (National Gallery), was replaced by a second Samian Sibyl with a Putto (also National Gallery). King David and the Samian Sibyl have hung together for centuries, first in Cesena then in Spencer House, London.

Key facts

Details

Full title
King David
Artist
Guercino
Artist dates
1591 - 1666
Date made
1651
Medium and support
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
223.5 × 170.2 cm
Acquisition credit
Accepted in lieu of Inheritance Tax by HM Government and allocated to the National Gallery, 2025
Inventory number
NG6707
Location
Room 32
Image copyright
Private collection
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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