David with the Head of Goliath (1610)

David has killed the Philistine giant Goliath with a stone from his sling. He then cuts of the head to show it to his brothers-in-arms.

This is one of Caravaggio's last works. Some claim that the giant's head is a self-portrait. David does not seem to celebrate his victory. Maybe he is disgusted with the killing of a man, even though it was an enemy. Or maybe Caravaggio is projecting his own disgust. Caravaggio had some experience as a killer: in 1606, he had killed a man with his sword during a quarrel over a bet.

Earlier paintings by Caravaggio on the same subject date from 1601 and 1606.