Zinnebeelden des profeets Davids 1806 - 1830

Editor: So, this is "Zinnebeelden des Profeets Davids" – or "Symbols of the Prophet David" – made sometime between 1806 and 1830 by Johan Noman. It’s an engraving on paper, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It kind of looks like a page from a graphic novel, but…very old. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: Oh, it's lovely, isn't it? The crude lines almost feel…honest. Like folk art telling an epic tale. I get a sense of David as a man for all seasons, as one tableau follows the other. It speaks of both glory and loss; very operatic! Makes me wonder, does this feel more like a celebratory collection of high moments or a reflective assessment of David's life? Editor: I'd say reflective. There's a sense of...finality to it. Knowing the story, seeing it condensed like this almost feels like looking at a tapestry of his legacy, woven with triumphs but also deep regrets. Almost a "this is your life" laid bare! Curator: Precisely! It begs the question - how much could Noman really fit into each of those little windows? I mean, look at the details jammed in there! Is there anything in particular that catches your eye? Editor: The image in the lower center, where Absalom is hanging from the tree… that feels very poignant, given David’s grief. Curator: Yes, that resonates! It feels deeply personal, like a raw emotional outpouring more than just illustration. Thank you, I'll never be able to look at it the same way! Editor: I agree. Seeing it as a deeply personal expression definitely unlocks new meaning for me too!