David

Artist William Dyce (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1806 - 1864)

Date1850-1864

Mediumpencil on primed canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 14.2 cm, Width: 10.5 cm
Frame: Height: 55.7 cm, Width: 40 cm

AcquisitionBequeathed in 1940 by Miss Ella C Dyce.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003229

Keywords

About MeThis is one of a pair of sketches for the painting 'David in the Wilderness' (National Galleries of Scotland.) The painting was exhibited under this title only after the artist's death. However, its original title 'The Sweet Psalmist' (2 Samuel 23:1) coupled with the costume and attribute of the figure clearly indicate that Dyce intended this to be a portrait of David from the Old Testament.

It has been suggested that 'David in the Wilderness' was intended as a pair to 'The Man of Sorrows', (also in the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland) due to the similarity of subject, format and medium, both have exact dimensions and are executed on millboard. David was the symbolic Old Testament counterpart to Christ. However there are several works of similar format, executed on millboard, and these two works were not exhibited together until after the artist's death, at the Burslem Wedgewood exhibition, in 1869.
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This is one of a pair of sketches for the painting "David in the Wilderness" that resides in the collection of the Scottish National Gallery.