Saul richt zijn speer op David / David doodt twee honderd Filistijnen / David brengt Saul tweehonderd voorhuiden / Michal helpt David ontsnappen 1575 - 1654

Editor: Here we have a print by Johann Sadeler I, created sometime between 1575 and 1654. It's an engraving depicting four different scenes from the biblical story of David and Saul. It feels…intense, almost like a comic book but with so much more going on. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: Immediately, I see a visual language deeply rooted in allegory. The poses, the expressions, even the architectural backgrounds--they all contribute to a coded narrative about power, betrayal, and ultimately, divine favor. Note how frequently gestures and expressions are emphasized to evoke emotional reactions and convey moral messages; these symbolic gestures create meaning across time. Editor: Coded, how so? Curator: Look at Saul's spear. The way he aims it conveys not just aggression but also paranoia and insecurity. Then contrast that with David’s triumphant pose over the slain Philistines; it speaks to his courage and divinely ordained destiny. Editor: I see that contrast now! And the…forheads. The visual weight of that lower-left scene, with the offered bounty, is striking. Almost repulsive. What is their significance in this broader story? Curator: That offering is not just a physical object. It represents a bargain, a test of faith, and, more subtly, a transaction involving something deeply personal and even taboo. In this case, they could signify themes of sacrifice, loyalty and what it costs to be either brave or conniving during times fraught with difficulty. Editor: So, the symbols aren't just pretty pictures; they tell the real story. That's amazing. I guess art is often about layering different types of messages on top of each other. Thanks! Curator: Precisely! And considering art in this way enables us to become cultural detectives and decipher visual stories that would have otherwise been concealed.