1508
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
David Playing the Harp before Saul is a 1508 ink by Lucas van Leyden, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows four men in a dim room. One young man plays a harp while standing, his fingers resting on the strings. The other three watch closely—one sits wrapped in a fur coat, another leans on a staff, and the third stands in armor. Behind them, a window with carved figures lets in faint light. The artist used fine lines and shading to show fabric folds and faces. The harp player looks calm, but the older man’s sharp gaze adds tension. This isn’t a painting—it’s made by carving into metal, then pressing ink onto paper. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Lucas van Leyden (1494 – 8 August 1533), was a Dutch painter and printmaker in engraving and woodcut. Lucas van Leyden was among the first Dutch exponents of genre painting and was a very accomplished engraver.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
