Leducq Maison de Ventes aux enchères
50
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French school, circa 1800 God punishes David
Pen and brown i…
See original version (French)
50
-
French school, circa 1800 God punishes David
Pen and brown i…
See original version (French)
Estimate €300 - €500
Voluntary lot
Description
French school, circa 1800
God punishes David
Pen and brown ink and brown ink wash.
365 x 285 mm.
This drawing seems to dramatise the biblical episode in which God punishes David (2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21).
God considered it a sin of vanity and a lack of trust in the king's divine protection when King David ordered a census of the population of Israel and Judah. Through the prophet Gad, God offered David a choice of three punishments: three years of famine, three months of flight from his enemies, or three days of pestilence. David chose to rely on God's mercy. God then sent an exterminating angel who spread the plague, causing the death of 70,000 men. When the angel was about to destroy Jerusalem, God stopped him. David sees the angel, humbles himself by recognising his fault and begs God to spare the innocent people. This is the scene depicted in our drawing. At the behest of the prophet Gad, David builds an altar and offers sacrifices that God accepts.
An attribution to Louis Jean François Lagrenée the Elder (1724-1805) has been proposed.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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