David and Goliath, Cartoon for Stained Glass Window at Jesus College, Cambridge

1872

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Mythology

Dominant colour

David and Goliath, Cartoon for Stained Glass Window at Jesus College, Cambridge is a 1872 by Ford Madox Brown, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Ford Madox Brown
When & what style?: 1872 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting depicts a dramatic scene from the biblical story of David and Goliath. David, a young man with a determined expression, is shown in the foreground, holding a sword and shield. He is dressed in simple attire, with a cloak draped over his shoulder. In the background, Goliath, a giant of a man, lies defeated on the ground, his massive body sprawled out in a lifeless pose. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and drama in the scene, with the light source coming from the left side of the painting. The colors used are muted, with earthy tones dominating the palette. The overall effect is one of tension and drama, capturing the moment of triumph for David over his formidable foe. If you're interested in learning more about the artistic style of this painting, you might want to explore the movement of Impressionism.