Artwork
David et Goliath
David et Goliath is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier’s lithograph titled *David et Goliath* presents a compact, black‑and‑white rendition of the biblical duel. The print contrasts a massive, sword‑bearing Goliath on the left with a diminutive, sling‑armed David on the right, the two figures occupying opposite ends of a tense, diagonal composition that emphasizes their disparity in size and power.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualizes the classic narrative of youthful bravery confronting overwhelming force. Daumier’s portrayal of David in a dynamic, forward‑leaning stance underscores the theme of courageous resistance, while Goliath’s imposing stature and ornate feathered helmet convey the might and arrogance of the adversary, inviting reflection on the triumph of intellect over brute strength.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the image relies on bold, decisive lines that delineate the figures and their equipment with clarity. Daumier’s handling of contrast—dense darks for Goliath’s armor against lighter, more open spaces around David—creates a dramatic tension, while the simplified forms and limited tonal range reflect the medium’s capacity for swift, expressive drawing.
History & Provenance
Created during Daumier’s prolific period of printmaking in the mid‑19th century, the lithograph was produced for the French market, where biblical and historical subjects were popular among collectors. Though specific exhibition records are scarce, the piece has circulated in private collections and appears in catalogues of Daumier’s graphic oeuvre, confirming its attribution and place within his broader body of work.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Honoré-Victorin Daumier was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the Revolution of 1830 to the fall of the Second French Empire in 1870.
