David carrying the head of Goliath, which he holds by the hair

Art Historical Context

In the early 17th century, artist Giuseppe Caletti, as Cremonese or Caterino Doino, a dramatic biblical moment in this etching: David triumphantly carrying the severed head of Goliath the hair. Created between 1620 and 1630, the print measures a modest 10 1/16 × 6 1/8 inches on the plate, showcasing the intimate scale typical of etchings designed for collectors and connoisseurs. Etching, a technique where acid etches lines into a metal plate for intricate detail and tonal depth, allowed Caletti to convey the raw intensity of the scene—David's youthful valor against Goliath's formidable defeat...