Saul begroet David als overwinnaar van Goliath 1766

Simon Fokke made this print, “Saul Greets David as Victor over Goliath”, in the 18th-century Netherlands, using etching. It illustrates a story from the Bible, but it also speaks to the social and political context of its time. Fokke's composition invites us to consider the politics of imagery. Who is being presented, and how? The victorious David kneels, bearing the head of Goliath, while Saul, surrounded by soldiers, gestures in acknowledgement. This print reflects the cultural and religious values of the Dutch Republic, where biblical themes were often used to convey moral lessons and reinforce social norms. As historians, we examine such prints through many resources, including period documents, religious texts, and studies of Dutch art. It’s through understanding these contexts that we can interpret the true meaning of art, as it is contingent on social and institutional forces.