Bathsheba 1827

Francesco Hayez painted this version of ‘Bathsheba’ in the 19th century. The artwork presents a biblical scene through a lens that reflects the prevailing attitudes towards women, power, and desire. Hayez situates Bathsheba as an object of King David's gaze. What does it mean to portray a woman in a moment of private vulnerability, knowing it is a prelude to an abuse of power? The artist reproduces a male fantasy while alluding to the narrative's troubling core. Hayez was working during a period of emerging nationalism in Italy, which adds a layer of complexity to the painting's themes. This depiction doesn't merely illustrate a biblical tale; it invites reflection on the dynamics of looking, on how the representation of women is so often tied to male authority, and on how these dynamics echo across history into our present.