David: Title Page for Talon, L'Histoire sainte, III 1645

Claude Mellan created this print, the title page for “Talon, L’Histoire sainte, III,” in seventeenth-century France using engraving. Mellan’s image presents a melancholic King David alongside a younger figure, likely representing his successor, Solomon, set within a classical architectural framework. Made during the Baroque era, a time defined by religious and political upheaval, this work reflects the complex relationship between the monarchy, the church, and the public. The choice of biblical subject matter was typical, but Mellan subtly infuses the scene with emotion. This was a period when the French monarchy, under Louis XIV, sought to centralize power, using art as a tool for propaganda and moral instruction. The image, therefore, serves not only as a religious illustration but also as a commentary on leadership, succession, and the burdens of power. By examining period texts and understanding the patronage system of the time, we can better appreciate how Mellan's print functions within its original social and institutional context. Art history, in this sense, is a continuous process of uncovering layers of meaning through interdisciplinary research.