David with the Head of Goliath
Dublin Core
Title
David with the Head of Goliath
Description
Created by Michelangelo Caravaggio c. 1606-1610, David with the Head of Goliath was created as a gift for the papal court of Rome, specifically for Scipione Borgehese. Caravaggio was accused of murdering Tomassoni in May 1606, and fled from Rome, but spent his time creating this painting as petition for pardon so he could return to Rome. Caravaggio was indeed granted pardon, however, he unfortunately died before word of the pardon reached him [1].
Caravaggio was well-known for his mastery of biblical stories in a rather violent and somber tone, as shown in his creation of David with the Head of Goliath [2]. In this scene, Carvaggio interprets the traditional Old Testament story of David's battle, and ultimate victory, over Goliath. The painting depicts David with a sword holding the severed head of Goliath by his hair – David looks down at the head with a hardened look of remorse, but soft eyes, potentially expressing his pity at what he was forced to do. David's entire figure, as well as Goliath's head, are both highlighted in a bright tone, while the background is entirely dark. With this highlight, Caravaggio emphasizes the focus on the two main characters, and simultaneously creates a sense of David entering a lighted area – potentially showing him emerging from the darkness in the past, into a better era of light and happiness now that he has slain Goliath. While the painting is a fairly graphic interpretation of the story, the painting still elicits a sentiment of hope and relief. His illustration of David as remorseful suggests that Caravaggio is aware that murder is a sin in the Christian faith, no matter the circumstances.
Caravaggio is believed to be projecting his own sentiments about his crimes and his exile onto the painting. David's remorse is reflective of his own regret about his sins, while Goliath's head is said to be a self-portrait of Caravaggio, encompassing his guilt into the punishment of Goliath [3]. While Caravaggio frequently represented Biblical stories in a dark and twisted light, this scene is shown in a more realistic tone, emphasizing Caravaggio's acceptance and apology of his sins, and hope for pardon.
[1] "David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio", Borghese Gallery, Accessed November 17, 2020, https://borghese.gallery/collection/paintings/david-with-the-head-of-goliath.html.
[2] "Caravaggio: Naples, Malta, Sicily, Naples, Porto Ercole: 1606-1610," Encyclopædia Britannica, Accessed November 17, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Caravaggio/Naples-Malta-Sicily-Naples-Porto-Ercole-1606-10.
[3] Andrew Graham-Dixon, "David with the Head of Goliath," Caravaggio: a Life Sacred and Profane, 2011, 103-107
Caravaggio was well-known for his mastery of biblical stories in a rather violent and somber tone, as shown in his creation of David with the Head of Goliath [2]. In this scene, Carvaggio interprets the traditional Old Testament story of David's battle, and ultimate victory, over Goliath. The painting depicts David with a sword holding the severed head of Goliath by his hair – David looks down at the head with a hardened look of remorse, but soft eyes, potentially expressing his pity at what he was forced to do. David's entire figure, as well as Goliath's head, are both highlighted in a bright tone, while the background is entirely dark. With this highlight, Caravaggio emphasizes the focus on the two main characters, and simultaneously creates a sense of David entering a lighted area – potentially showing him emerging from the darkness in the past, into a better era of light and happiness now that he has slain Goliath. While the painting is a fairly graphic interpretation of the story, the painting still elicits a sentiment of hope and relief. His illustration of David as remorseful suggests that Caravaggio is aware that murder is a sin in the Christian faith, no matter the circumstances.
Caravaggio is believed to be projecting his own sentiments about his crimes and his exile onto the painting. David's remorse is reflective of his own regret about his sins, while Goliath's head is said to be a self-portrait of Caravaggio, encompassing his guilt into the punishment of Goliath [3]. While Caravaggio frequently represented Biblical stories in a dark and twisted light, this scene is shown in a more realistic tone, emphasizing Caravaggio's acceptance and apology of his sins, and hope for pardon.
[1] "David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio", Borghese Gallery, Accessed November 17, 2020, https://borghese.gallery/collection/paintings/david-with-the-head-of-goliath.html.
[2] "Caravaggio: Naples, Malta, Sicily, Naples, Porto Ercole: 1606-1610," Encyclopædia Britannica, Accessed November 17, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Caravaggio/Naples-Malta-Sicily-Naples-Porto-Ercole-1606-10.
[3] Andrew Graham-Dixon, "David with the Head of Goliath," Caravaggio: a Life Sacred and Profane, 2011, 103-107
Creator
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
Source
Graham-Dixon, Andrew, "David with the Head of Goliath." In Caravaggio: a Life Sacred and Profane, 103-107. New York: W.W. Norton, 2011.
“Caravaggio: Naples, Malta, Sicily, Naples, Porto Ercole: 1606–10.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Accessed November 17, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Caravaggio/Naples-Malta-Sicily-Naples-Porto-Ercole-1606-10.
“David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio.” Borghese Gallery. August 2, 2019. https://borghese.gallery/collection/paintings/david-with-the-head-of-goliath.html.
Publisher
Scipione Borghese
Image Source: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. c. 1609-10. David with the Head of Goliath. painting. Place: Galleria Borghese. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_1039488548.
Image Source: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. c. 1609-10. David with the Head of Goliath. painting. Place: Galleria Borghese. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_1039488548.
Date
c. 1606-1610
Contributor
Ithika Senthilnathan
Rights
(c) 2006, SCALA, Florence/ART RESOURCE, N.Y.
Format
Oil on canvas, 125 cm x 101 cm
Type
Oil on canvas painting
Coverage
Galleria Borgehese, Rome, Italy
Citation
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio , “David with the Head of Goliath,” ARTHIST 89S - Visual Culture of Venice - Fall 2020, accessed October 22, 2026, https://venice.dahvc.org/fall-2020/items/show/186.