Artwork

David Returning Victorious after Defeating Goliath and the Philistines

David Returning Victorious after Defeating Goliath and the Philistines is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Steen. It dates from 1671 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Iconographically, David is shown bearing the severed head of Goliath, a symbol of his martial prowess and the subjugation of Israel’s enemies.

The painting portrays the biblical hero David triumphant after his victory over Goliath and the Philistines, embodying themes of divine favor and heroic courage. Rendered in oil on canvas, the work measures 106.9 cm by 159.2 cm and is housed in the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is classified as religious art. Jan Steen created the piece in 1671, a date confirmed by multiple sources.

Iconographically, David is shown bearing the severed head of Goliath, a symbol of his martial prowess and the subjugation of Israel’s enemies. The composition underscores the narrative of Israel’s deliverance through a divinely chosen leader, reinforcing the moral lesson of faith and righteousness prevailing over tyranny.

Technique & Style

Jan Steen executed this 1671 religious painting using oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 106.9 cm in height and 159.2 cm in width. As a religious genre piece, the artwork depicts the biblical figures David and Goliath.

History & Provenance

David Returning Victorious after Defeating Goliath and the Philistines is a religious painting by Jan Steen, dated 1671 and executed in oil on canvas. The work entered the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Denmark, where it is currently held. No further details regarding commission, intermediate ownership, or acquisition history are documented in the available sources.

The painting is held at the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen. It is inventoried as KMSsp 1080.

It was exhibited at "Jan Steen’s Histories: Theaters of the Everyday" at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, from 18 October 2008 to 18 January 2009, and at the Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, from 14 February to 10 May 2009.

Overview

Jan Steen’s 1671 oil painting, titled David Returning Victorious after Defeating Goliath and the Philistines, presents a jubilant scene of triumph. The work is part of the collection at Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst and exemplifies the artist’s engagement with biblical narrative through a festive composition.

Context

The work aligns with 17th‑century Protestant interest in biblical heroes as moral exemplars. By situating David’s triumph within a festive, almost theatrical setting, Steen links the biblical narrative to contemporary Dutch celebrations, underscoring themes of communal gratitude and the triumph of the underdog.