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🎨 David: "Oh, that I had wings like a Dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest." Psalm 55:6, 1865
by Frederic Leighton 🏴
oil on fabric, 96.5 x 122.5 cm
Cleveland Museum of Art, USA
About the artwork:
This painting depicts the biblical King David, a frequent subject in art due to his complex character and dramatic life as described in the scriptures. The chosen verse, Psalm 55:6, expresses David’s desire for escape from the turmoil surrounding him, a theme that Leighton visualizes with a reflective and evocative representation of David yearning for peace.
In this work, David might be depicted in a moment of solitude and contemplation, perhaps looking towards the heavens or in a pose that suggests his longing for escape. The composition would likely emphasize the emotional intensity of the scene through the use of dramatic lighting and shadow, highlighting David's expression and the setting around him, which could be either a palace or a secluded outdoor space, adding to the sense of isolation and contemplation.
I have been sick for the past week and put myself in a very bad spot in terms of schoolwork, but I'm finally feeling better, so I took a little trip on Sunday!
Reading (1873) by Berthe Morisot. Cleveland Museum of Art.
Portrait of Crescencia von Seilern und Aspang, Countess Széchenyi (1828) by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. Cleveland Museum of Art.