David's Promise to Bathsheba 1642 - 1643

"David's Promise to Bathsheba" is a drawing by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout, a Dutch artist known for his close association with Rembrandt. The artwork depicts a biblical scene from the Book of Samuel, where King David, seated on a throne, gives his promise to Bathsheba, kneeling at his feet, that he will protect their child. This small-scale, intimate work utilizes a rich brown palette with detailed shading and a masterful use of light and shadow, characteristic of Eeckhout's style. The drawing is a prime example of 17th-century Dutch Baroque art and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.