David in Prayer

Rembrandt van Rijn (mentioned on object), 1652

In his etchings Rembrandt often left something to the imagination. Here he shows a man kneeling on a cushion before a bed, sunk in prayer. His head is cast in shadow and therefore cannot be recognized; however, the harp lying in the foreground makes it clear that he is King David. What he is praying for is less evident: perhaps the salvation of the illegitimate son he fathered with Bathsheba.

  • Artwork typeprint
  • Object numberRP-P-1961-1000A
  • Dimensionsheight 144 mm x width 95 mm
  • Physical characteristicsets en droge naald

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • David in Prayer
    • David in prayer
  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-P-1961-1000A

  • Inscriptions / marks

    • signature and date: ‘Rembrandt f. 1652’
    • mark: Lugt 2228
  • Catalogue reference

    • New Hollstein Dutch and Flemish (Rembrandt text) 268-1(3)
    • Bartsch 41-1(3)
    • Hollstein Dutch 41-1(3)

Creation

  • Creation

    • printmaker: Rembrandt van Rijn (mentioned on object)
    • after design by Rembrandt van Rijn
  • Dating

    1652

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    ets en droge naald

  • Dimensions

    height 144 mm x width 95 mm


This work is about

  • Subject


Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Mr and Mrs De Bruijn-van der Leeuw Bequest, Muri, Switzerland

  • Acquisition

    bequest 1961

  • Copyright


Documentation


Persistent URL