David Brought Before Saul, from "The Art Journal," opposite p. 100

Samuel S. Smith|Louisa Starr Canziani|J. S. Virtue & Co.

April 1871 · Etching and engraving · Drawings and Prints

This print was published in a London periodical to publicize the December 1867 winner of the Royal Academy Schools gold medal for best historical painting (now private collection). Louisa Starr was the first woman to be officially admitted to the Schools and also the first to win a gold medal. Her Old Testament subject treats the passage: "And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand" (1 Samuel 17:57). Contemporary critics noted, "the artist acted wisely in not loading [the image] with numerous figures and accessories," and praised its tone and color.

Artist

Samuel S. Smith|Louisa Starr Canziani|J. S. Virtue & Co.

Date

April 1871

Medium

Etching and engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Donato Esposito, 2015