David Cuts off the Skirt of Saul's Robe (I Samuel 24:4-11) 1923

Curator: Today we're looking at Lovis Corinth's "David Cuts off the Skirt of Saul's Robe," made in 1923. Editor: My first impression is how charged the atmosphere feels, achieved almost entirely through the agitated charcoal marks. Curator: Precisely. Observe how Corinth uses dense, cross-hatched lines to build form and shadow, creating a dramatic contrast between light and dark. The composition is a dynamic interplay of diagonals. Editor: And consider the biblical narrative. This moment of David's moral dilemma—to kill the sleeping Saul or spare him—resonates powerfully. Corinth highlights the complexities of power, loyalty, and just rebellion. Curator: Certainly. It's a masterful study in tenebrism, manipulating light to convey not just form, but profound psychological depth. Editor: I agree. Corinth pushes us to confront uncomfortable questions about authority and resistance through this very visceral scene.