David and Goliath

David and Goliath is a masterful print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1655. Classified as a Print, the work is a profound example of his late-career experimentation with the graphic arts. Rijn employed a complex mixture of techniques, combining etching, burin engraving, and drypoint to achieve rich tonal contrasts and textural variation rarely matched by his contemporaries. This composite approach allowed the artist to leverage the deep, velvety burr characteristic of drypoint alongside the expressive, spontaneous freedom of etching. This nuanced technical mastery is central to understanding his graphic output during the period 1651 to 1700.

The subject illustrates the iconic biblical encounter where the young David defeats the Philistine giant Goliath, a narrative popular throughout the Dutch Golden Age. Rijn characteristically chose the dramatic moment immediately following the action, minimizing the violence and maximizing the psychological and spiritual weight of the outcome. The handling of shadow and selective light defines the composition; the victorious David is illuminated against the darkness, holding the massive sword he used to dispatch the giant. The enormous figure of Goliath recedes into the deep shadow created by the drypoint lines, turning the familiar tale into an intimate study of faith and triumph.

Dating to the mid-17th century, this piece reflects the mature, contemplative style of the Dutch master and demonstrates his sustained influence on the classification of prints as high art. The work resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, which holds a significant repository of Rijn’s graphic output. Like many important historical prints, high-resolution images of this masterwork are often made available by institutions and may sometimes enter the public domain, ensuring continued access for scholarly study and public appreciation.