David speelt op zijn harp c. 1590 - 1637

This is Egbert Van Panderen’s engraving of ‘David Playing His Harp’, made in the Netherlands during the early 17th century. Van Panderen was part of a generation of artists whose works reflected both religious and political struggles. David, a central figure in the Old Testament, was often depicted as both a warrior and a musician. Here, we find him in a state of contemplation, his harp a conduit to the divine. The choice to portray David, a biblical hero, as a musician resonates with the era’s complex relationship between religious devotion and artistic expression. Consider how Van Panderen has presented David. The king is bare-chested and barefoot, seemingly humble, his crown discarded to the side. We can ask ourselves, is this a deliberate choice to humanize a figure of immense power, or is it simply following in a long tradition of portraying biblical figures in a more accessible way? This engraving serves as a reminder of the emotional and spiritual power of music, and the timeless appeal of biblical narratives, inviting us to reflect on the intersections of faith, art, and identity.