Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

David's Farewell to Jonathan

oil on panel (73 × 61 cm) — 1642 Museum Hermitage, St. Petersburg

This work is linked to 1 Samuel 20:41

Jonathan was the son of king Saul and a close friend of David. Saul has decided to have David killed, as he sees him as a rival to his throne. David has to flee. Here he says farewell to Jonathan.

Rembrandt shows Jonathan as the older of the two friends. David is wearing beautiful cloths and a sword - probably the sword and cloths Jonathan gave him earlier.

The painting was bought for the collection of czar Peter the Great of Russia at an auction in Amsterdam in 1716.

Tags: David