Jan de Bray 1627 – 1697

David Playing the Harp Ahead of the Ark

oil on canvas (142 × 154 cm) — 1670
private collection

Jan de Bray biography

This work is linked to 2 Samuel 6:14

Tags: David

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King David leads the group that carries the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. It had been stolen by the Philistines. They returned it because it only brought them misfortune.

David was addressed by his wife Michal for his cheerful behaviour. She felt he lost his royal dignity with his singing and dancing.

According to the story in the Bible, David was half-naked. De Bray choose to show him fully dressed.

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