Abigail and David

Abigail and David

Lucas van Leyden

1508

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white engraving shows a chaotic battle scene with soldiers on horseback. One rider on the right leans down to help a fallen person, while others fight around tall trees. The background has distant buildings and more soldiers, all drawn with sharp lines and heavy shading. The artist packed a lot into small details—like the soldier’s spear and the horse’s armor—making the scene feel busy but controlled. This isn’t just a fight; it’s a story, likely using symbols to stand for bigger ideas. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this carved intricate scenes into metal.

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