Artwork
David at the Cave of Adullam
David at the Cave of Adullam is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Giovanni Maldura. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures the moment of assembly in the wilderness, symbolizing a transitional period in David's rise to power.
Giovanni Maldura's 1829 oil painting depicts the biblical episode of David at the Cave of Adullam. The composition presents a landscape setting centered on a cave, which serves as the refuge for the protagonist. The work explicitly portrays David alongside figures identified as soldiers and other men, representing the band of followers who gathered around him during his flight from King Saul.
By categorizing the piece as a landscape painting, the artist emphasizes the rugged terrain and the natural environment of the hideout rather than focusing solely on portraiture. The iconography relies on the visual juxtaposition of the human figures against the geological features of the cave to convey the narrative of exile and the formation of a rebel force. The scene captures the moment of assembly in the wilderness, symbolizing a transitional period in David's rise to power.
Technique & Style
Created by Giovanni Maldura in 1829, David at the Cave of Adullam is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work functions as a landscape painting, depicting the biblical figure David alongside soldiers within a cavernous setting. The physical dimensions of the canvas measure 116.2 centimeters in height and 193 centimeters in width.
The medium and genre classification align with the artist's approach to landscape subjects during this period, utilizing traditional oil techniques to render the scene of the Cave of Adullam. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The painting David at the Cave of Adullam was executed by Giovanni Maldura in 1829 using oil on canvas. Contemporary records indicate the work was created as an independent piece, with no documented commission. Its physical dimensions are 116.2 cm × 193 cm. The artwork entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains, establishing the museum as its current owner.
Overview
This oil painting, titled "David at the Cave of Adullam," depicts a gathering of men in a rugged, natural setting. The artwork is rendered in oil paint, a medium known for its rich color and ability to create nuanced effects. It illustrates a specific moment from a historical or biblical narrative, characterized by a group of figures positioned against a dramatic landscape that extends into the distance.
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