The Triumph of David 1682

Luca Giordano painted The Triumph of David using oil paints, a fairly traditional method. Giordano’s use of oil paint is quite interesting: oils are slow-drying, and this enabled him to create soft transitions and luminosity. David is depicted as a triumphant hero, his strength seemingly effortless, yet the reality is that the sword and Goliath's head would have been heavy. The medium and colors of Giordano’s work therefore contribute to this sense of effortless power, glossing over the labor involved. The light glints on his muscles and the fine textiles worn by the women surrounding him, distracting from the violence of the recent beheading. Ultimately, by considering the materials and techniques used to create The Triumph of David, we can gain a richer understanding of the painting's intent and meaning. It makes us consider the labor of representation, and whether some processes are better than others at concealing this.