Half-figures making music were a common subject for Caravaggio and his disciples Bartholommeo Manfredi and Artemisia Gentileschi. Dirck van Baburen painted Boy with Jew’s Harp in 1621 after returning from Rome. Tutor Bloemaert and fellow painters Hendrick ter Bruggen and Gerard van Honthorst created variations on the theme. Popularised by the Utrecht Caravaggisti, the Italian Baroque motif was adopted by other Dutch painters such as Frans Hals and Judith Leyster.

David was a shepherd boy when he was chosen to follow in Saul’s footsteps as king. He united Israel into a single kingdom and conquered Jerusalem, which he then made his capital. David was a musician and, according to tradition, is thought to be the author of some of the psalms. He is depicted here with his traditional attributes, a harp and a crown. [text 2023]