Description

Reference No.: 78J/ 2682

Origin: Flanders - Oudenaarde

Period: Late 16th century

Provenance: Private Collection

Composition: Wool and silk

Dimension: W 3.06 x H 2.93

Wool and silk tapestry decorated with a scene with David and Bathsheba.

Rich flower border and armoured characters.

David is a character from the Bible, the second king of Israel who is presented in the biblical account, with his son Solomon, as one of the two founders of the former Jewish state. David's biblical character inspired Daoud, the prophet-king in the Koran. His story is told in Samuel's first book and his life as a king in Samuel's second book and at the beginning of the First Book of Kings. Tradition traces its reign back to the 10th century BC2, which archaeological discoveries in the early 1990s tend to corroborate, even if the picture painted in the Scriptures and the episodes they report seem largely legendary. When Saul died, David was enthroned king of Judah and then king of Israel before being proclaimed messiah ("anointed"). At the head of the kingdom and his army, he defeated Israel's enemies, conquered Jerusalem - where he transferred the Ark of the Covenant - and founded a vast kingdom stretching from the borders of Egypt to the Euphrates, thus opening an era of prosperity and peace for Israel. God then promised David that his throne would be established forever, but Solomon, the son he had with Bathsheba, succeeded a weak and undecided old man. King David, walking on the terrace of his palace, saw Bathsheba swimming. Although he learned that she was married to Uriah, one of his soldiers who had gone to besiege a town, he had a relationship with this woman who became pregnant and told him so. David calls back Bathsheba's husband from the war to sleep with his wife, but he refuses. The king then pushed the commander of his army, Joab, to launch a risky attack in order to kill Uriah in battle: this is what happened. After the mourning period, David married Bathsheba and the child of their union was born. The prophet Nathan then taught David that this way of doing things had displeased God and that, as punishment, it was not this eldest son of David who would inherit the throne, but another fruit of the seed that David had planted in Bathsheba, after struggles that would decimate the royal family. David begs God's forgiveness, the child of Bathsheba falls ill and David fastes for several days, until the child dies on the seventh day, which David interprets as his punishment. David comforts Bathsheba. A new child will be born, called by David Solomon (peaceful). At the end of David's life, Bathsheba, allied with the prophet Nathan, will obtain from the king that he recognize Solomon as his rightful heir and bring him to the throne of Israël.

Our house assures you the sale of a tapestry with invoice and approved expertise, well cleaned, in good condition with its fixing system. If necessary, we will inform you of the work that has been done. All our tapestries can be presented to you at your home in France and neighbouring countries before your final decision.