David Playing the Harp before Saul

David Playing the Harp before Saul

1555

after Frans Floris

(Netherlandish, 1519-1570)

Netherlands, 16th century

Chiaroscuro woodcut

Support: Beige (2) laid paper

Sheet: 33.4 x 47.9 cm (13 1/8 x 18 7/8 in.)

John L. Severance Fund 1997.189

Catalogue raisonné: Hollstein I, Strauss 101, Bialler 3a/e

Location

not on view

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Description

The soothing effect of David’s music upon the melancholic King Saul, as relayed in the Old Testament and depicted here by Frans Floris, is the earliest visual evidence of the therapeutic use of music. Floris’s woodcut would have had contemporary relevance in its affirmation of Martin Luther’s belief that music-a divine power that creates order—had been made by God to combat the destructive power of evil.

See also
Collection: 
PR - Chiaroscuro
Department: 
Prints
Type of artwork: 
Print
Medium: 
Chiaroscuro woodcut
Credit line: 
John L. Severance Fund

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