Samuel Anointing David
1556
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1556
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Samuel Anointing David is a 1556 ink by Joannes Galle, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a crowded scene with lots of people. In the center, a robed figure kneels while another figure—holding a horn—touches his head. Around them, others stand watching, some with hands raised or pointing. The background has swirling clouds and small figures floating above. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, making the figures look three-dimensional. The text at the bottom is in Latin, hinting at a story about kings and anointing. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
