King David plays the harp, Ignazio de Ríes (Seville, 1612 – 1661)

Ignazio de Ríes (Seville, 1612 – Seville, 1661) attributable

King David playing the harp

Oil painting on canvas
137 x 102 – In frame 150 x 112 cm.

Full details of the work (click HERE)

At the center of the canvas emerges the majestic figure of one of the great biblical figures, King David, in a moment of intimate devotion: his expert fingers gracefully pluck the strings of a harp, the instrument he used to sing the praises of the Lord, allowing us to imagine the notes floating in the air.

His gaze is turned upwards as if he were drawing inspiration directly from the celestial spheres: according to tradition, with this instrument the king not only cheered up his court, but also had the mystical power to drive away tormented spirits and bring relief to the soul (as happened to King Saul).

It is the portrait of a king, a poet, and a musician, whose soul sings the divine praises through music, offering a powerful and fascinating glimpse into the connection between art, faith, and royalty.

In fact, we see him portrayed in a majestic position, highlighting his proverbial virtues: regal authority (the crown, the splendid sumptuous and regal robes with the ermine cloak) and the love for poetry in music (the notes written on the book and the precious, finely carved lyre).

An interesting detail is the legible notes on the open book and the phrase “Laudate Dominum omnes gentes, laudate eum” (Praise the Lord, all you peoples, praise him), which often resounds in the psalms and in the Christian liturgy and indicates a universal praise of God, focused on the figure of King David, a central figure of the Old Testament, beloved by God and the promise of an eternal kingdom.

Even the laurel branch, which Baroque art loved to include in his portraits, elevates his intellectual and artistic stature, since tradition attributes to him the composition of the Psalms, and therefore he is often portrayed as the "poet par excellence" of the Bible.

From an attributional point of view, we can place this splendid canvas in the finest tradition of 17th-century Spanish Baroque, and precisely in the circle of Francisco de Zurbarán, a protagonist of the 'Golden Age' of Seville, a fundamental artistic hub, known for his mystical and austere style, influenced by the realism of Caravaggio, and for his solemn and monumental paintings of great religious figures.

His work is characterized by a highly eclectic style, in its use of chiaroscuro and a descriptive technique that pays great attention to the quality of detail. Our painting is a perfect example of this, given the attention to the rendering of the clothing, as well as the jewels adorning King David, all belonging to a repertoire frequently found in the works of Zurbarán and his circle.

In particular, the analysis of the various details allows us to link its execution to the Sevillian Ignacio de Ríes (Seville, 1612 – Seville, 1661), one of his most talented students and capable of reaching very high levels of quality.

We can easily compare our King David with other portraits by the painter, including the San Fernando (Ferdinand III of Castile and León) attributed to Ignacio de Ries, dated around 1655-1665 and currently in the Town Hall of Seville (imm.1, https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rey_Fernando_III.jpg ), and the same subject as ours, King David that De Ries painted around 1650, today in the Prado Museum in Madrid (imm2. https://www.museodelprado.es/coleccion/obra-de-arte/el-rey-david/163068e6-ff29-41c3-bbe7-fa0ce5e2b69… ); Both of these works reveal significant similarities, striking for the delicacy and quality of the modeling, achieved through a subtle gradation of chromatic tones and a sophisticated use of light and shadow; also noteworthy are the anatomical precision and the emotional atmosphere.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Presence of restorations and repainting on the surface.

The images were created using a professional photographic set and lighting.

The work is sold complete with an antique frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

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