Triumph of David
n.d.
Medium
Pen and brown and black ink with brush and gray wash, over black chalk, on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
23.3 × 19.3 cm (9 3/16 × 7 5/8 in.)
Classification
ink or chalk wash
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
85461
Art Historical Context
The Triumph of David captures a dramatic moment from the biblical story of the young shepherd who defeats the giant Goliath, a theme beloved in Italian art for its celebration of courage, faith, and divine justice. Created by an unknown Italian artist, this expressive drawing uses pen and brown and black ink with gray wash over black chalk on ivory laid paper. The fluid lines and tonal washes bring movement and emotion to the scene, highlighting David’s triumphant pose and the surrounding figures in a compact yet dynamic composition measuring just over nine by seven inches. Such works on pape...