Koning David ziet de engel des doods 1614 - 1683

This is an engraving of King David seeing the Angel of Death, made by an anonymous artist and now held at the Rijksmuseum. The image captures a moment of divine retribution, reflecting anxieties around sin, punishment, and the role of authority. Made in the Dutch Republic, this work is indicative of a culture grappling with religious identity in the wake of the Reformation. The print would have circulated widely, disseminating ideas and reaffirming moral codes within the community. The artist uses visual cues to create meaning; the angel’s sword and the figures struck down symbolize divine wrath, while David’s pose conveys repentance. The city in the background adds a sense of contemporary relevance. To understand this print, we can examine religious texts and historical records that speak to the social function of such imagery. Art historians investigate the institutions of art to better understand such works as products of their time.