Artemisia Gentileschi 1593 – 1656

Bathing Bathsheba

oil on canvas (258 × 218 cm) — 1650 Neues Palais, Potsdam

Artemisia Gentileschi biography

This work is linked to 2 Samuel 11:2

Pretty Bathsheba has finished her bath. She is fixing her hair, using the mirror held by a servant. Other servants walk around.

Perhaps she has already received King David's message. David has been watching her from his balcony (top left) and asks her to pay him a visit.

Gentileschi depicted the subject several times.

The Palazzo Pitti owns a copy (pictured above) almost identical to the Potsdam version. It was restored in 2008, revealing the original fresh colors.

Rate this work of art: