Artwork
Roundel with Joab Murdering Abner
Roundel with Joab Murdering Abner is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is a circular panel depicting a violent encounter on a rooftop.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created in 1515, this anonymous painting serves as a narrative roundel that captures the moment of treachery and assassination.
The artwork illustrates the biblical narrative of Joab murdering Abner, a specific event drawn from the Old Testament. The visual composition centers on the act of violence, explicitly depicting the weapon used in the killing as a sword. Created in 1515, this anonymous painting serves as a narrative roundel that captures the moment of treachery and assassination.
The imagery focuses directly on the physical confrontation between the two figures, utilizing the sword as the primary iconographic element to signify the lethal nature of the encounter.
History & Provenance
This anonymous painting, titled Roundel with Joab Murdering Abner, was created in 1515. Classified as a painting, the work depicts a sword and illustrates the biblical narrative of Joab killing Abner. The piece is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
No specific details regarding its original commission, earlier ownership history, or the identity of the artist are provided in the available records, and the sources do not list a specific inventory or accession number, nor any exhibition history for the object.
Legacy
The roundel depicting Joab Murdering Abner, painted in 1515, has been part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection since its acquisition, influencing scholarly discussions on narrative cycles in early Northern Renaissance art. Its dramatic composition and violent subject matter have been referenced in studies of biblical storytelling in visual media, particularly in analyses of anonymous works within major museum holdings.
Overview
The work is a circular panel depicting a violent encounter on a rooftop. A man in a fur‑trimmed cloak, wearing a tall feathered hat, raises a sword toward a kneeling opponent who clutches his head. A small figure in a doorway gestures toward the scene, while a castle looms in the background.
The palette is dominated by muted greys and browns with touches of gold on the clothing and weapon.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a stark chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows with illuminated forms to accentuate the figures and heighten the drama. The composition is organized around the central clash, while the surrounding architecture and secondary figure provide depth and narrative context.
Artist & collection
