David and Abigail was painted by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, who is better known as Guercino, in the 1620’s. The artist depicted the biblical episode about David and the beautiful Abigail.
David and Abigail
Creation period
ca. 1620’s
Dimensions
131x135 cm
Technique
canvas, oil
Collection
Exhibition
9
Open in app#1
Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, Guercino
David and Abigail
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Their story is described by Chapter 25 of the 1st Book of Samuel, otherwise called the 1st Book of the Kings. Abigail was the wife of Nabal, a churlish and rich man who had huge herds of sheep. When warriors of the would-be King David were in the wilderness, they helped Nabal’s shepherds to look after his livestock. Later, David sent out his messengers to Nabal. In the name of the would-be king, they asked the rich man for a favour in return: the soldiers needed food. But Nabal railed on them, calling David an unknown slave who broke away from his master. The angry David made up his mind to punish the offender and his whole house.
The would-be king and about four hundred of his men set out towards Nabal’s home. When she got to know that, Abigail took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. She went to see him, fell before him on her face, and asked him to forgive that man of Belial for God’s sake. David relented and cancelled the punishment. Ten days later, Nabal died. Abigail later became David’s wife and had a son with him.
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The artist depicted the most dramatic episode of the story: the crying Abigail is pressing her hands to her heart, the affronted David is still holding his arms tightly. The painter emphasized the emotionality of the subject by means of a strong contrast of light and shade. The main character’s figure is made brighter than the others: her whole attitude carries despair. David’s pose is impressive as well: the author precisely conveyed the determination with which the future king left for revenge. Such exaggerated conveyance of the characters’ feelings is a Baroque feature. Explorers attributed Guercino’s works to that particular style.
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Guercino is thought to have painted his best pictures during the early stage of his activities. Sometimes, his early paintings are called il vero Guercino, that is, the true Guercino. These pictures have remarkably strong light contrasts, expressive and rich colours, and peculiarly dramatic composition and body language.
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Samson seized by Philistines. Ca. 1619
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In later years, the artist’s paintings were more classically balanced and had subtler contrasts.
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King David. Ca. 1651
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David and Abigail is close to il vero Guercino. The painter sculpted the volumes with light and shade, used rich colours, and made the characters larger as if closer to the viewer. The picture differs from the artist’s early painting inasmuch as he somewhat moderated his style and contrasts.
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Yaroslavl Museum of Fine Arts
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David and Abigail
Creation period
ca. 1620’s
Dimensions
131x135 cm
Technique
canvas, oil
Collection
Exhibition
9
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