David Playing the Harp Before Saul c. 17th century

Curator: This is Willem Pietersz. de Leeuw's "David Playing the Harp Before Saul," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, that Saul looks… troubled. The deep shadows and the way he grips that spear, it’s all so tense. You can almost hear the discordant notes. Curator: Indeed. De Leeuw is capturing a pivotal moment from the Book of Samuel, where David's music is meant to soothe Saul's tormented spirit. The imagery, as always, is used for very specific narratives. Editor: It's such a striking contrast. The potential for healing right next to that barely-concealed threat. Like a lullaby played in a war room. Curator: Precisely. It reflects the precarious balance of power and the psychological turmoil within Saul himself. The artist is very interested in conveying emotions through the relationship between these two. Editor: It makes you wonder what melody could ever truly quiet such a storm. Thanks for highlighting this. It feels so relevant to what’s happening around us. Curator: My pleasure. It is a very interesting and challenging piece.