King David Playing the Harp with Angels Dancing and Playing Music
Medium
Engraving
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1953
Accession Number
53.601.17(1)
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the late 16th century, artist Peter Candid (also known as Pieter de Witte Pietro Candido), renowned for his elegant mannerist figures and courtly scenes, collaborated with master engraver Johann Sadeler I to create *King David Playing the Harp with Angels Dancing and Playing Music (ca. 1590–1600). This engraving, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Drawings and Prints, exemplifies the reproductive printmaking techniques that made high art accessible beyond elite patrons. The composition captures a joyful biblical moment inspired by King David, the psalmist and harpist of the Old Te...