David bespiedt Batseba 1615

Orazio Borgianni made this etching titled 'David spies on Bathsheba', its date is unknown. The early modern era was a period in which gender roles were rigidly defined and women's bodies were often viewed as objects of male desire. Here, the narrative from the Hebrew Bible is framed within the male gaze. We see David positioned high above, looking down at Bathsheba bathing. The image suggests an imbalance of power, one where David, as king, is free to indulge his desires. Bathsheba seems exposed and unaware of the king’s presence. Consider how the male gaze reduces Bathsheba to an object of visual consumption, denying her agency, and setting the stage for the abuses to follow. The story of David and Bathsheba continues to resonate, inviting us to reflect on themes of power, consent, and the enduring consequences of objectification.