David and Goliath (verso)

The sheet titled David and Goliath (verso) by Claude Lorrain is a powerful example of the artist's draftsmanship, executed circa 1640-1650. This exceptional drawing, rendered in black chalk, showcases the artist’s capacity to handle robust figure studies, a vital skill often overshadowed by the idealized and expansive landscapes for which he is globally renowned. Lorrain, though recognized as a central figure in 17th-century French classicism, spent the majority of his career in Rome, where he refined his composition and narrative skills by studying antiquity and Renaissance masters.

The subject matter, drawn from the Old Testament, depicts the celebrated encounter between David and the Philistine giant Goliath. While the specific context of this drawing being on the verso (reverse side) suggests it may have been a quick study or a compositional exercise, the dramatic rendering captures the tension and heroism inherent in the biblical narrative. The utilization of black chalk allows Lorrain to focus rapidly on light, shadow, and the anatomy of the figures, establishing form and musculature necessary for translating such action into larger, more complex oil compositions.

This important drawing is maintained in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, contributing significantly to its holdings of European works on paper. Due to the historical nature of the sheet and its artist, high-quality images and prints of this foundational work are frequently placed into the public domain, ensuring that students and enthusiasts worldwide can access and study the technical mastery of this pivotal French Baroque artist.