Who painted The Coronation of Solomon by the Spring of Gihon?

The Coronation of Solomon by the Spring of Gihon was painted by Jean Poyet in 1500.

Where can I see The Coronation of Solomon by the Spring of Gihon?

The Coronation of Solomon by the Spring of Gihon is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Coronation of Solomon by the Spring of Gihon?

The Coronation of Solomon by the Spring of Gihon is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Coronation of Solomon by the Spring of Gihon?

Museum-quality prints of The Coronation of Solomon by the Spring of Gihon are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Coronation of Solomon by the Spring of Gihon

Jean Poyet , 1500

The Coronation of Solomon by the Spring of Gihon is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Jean Poyet. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper right in brown ink: f; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: D 29616

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1500 by the French artist Jean Poyer, this drawing records the biblical moment of Solomon’s coronation beside the Gihon Spring. Executed with pen and black ink, the composition is enriched with watercolor washes and accented with touches of white gouache, giving the figures a subtle lift against a muted backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The scene gathers a crowd of men around a central figure in a white robe, who holds a spherical object, evoking the ceremonial transfer of authority. The setting, identified as the Gihon Spring, links the narrative to Jerusalem’s historic water source, underscoring Solomon’s role as both king and steward of the city’s lifelines.

Technique & Style

Poyer employs fine, delicate lines to outline the figures, while thin watercolor layers create a translucent atmosphere. Highlights of white gouache punctuate the composition, allowing key elements to emerge from the soft, almost draft‑like background of bare trees, a winding path, and a modest stream.

History & Provenance

Active from 1483 until his death, Poyer served the courts of Louis XI, Charles VIII, and Louis XII, producing works for royal patrons. This drawing, likely a preparatory study or a standalone illustration, reflects his dual role as painter and manuscript illuminator during the transition from medieval to Renaissance aesthetics in France.

Context

The work exemplifies late‑15th‑century French artistic practice, where courtly commissions often blended narrative illustration with the emerging naturalism of the Renaissance. Its modest scale and sketch‑like execution suggest it may have functioned as a design model for a larger illuminated manuscript or decorative program.