David Playing the Harp before Saul

Lucas van Leyden

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a group of people with two central figures prominently depicted. A man on the left side of the frame is standing and playing a harp. His full body is visible, and he has short, curly hair. He is dressed in medieval attire, including a tunic with a decorative pattern at the sleeves and hem, with a belt around his waist and boots. Beside him, another man is seated on a throne-like chair, facing the harpist and leaning slightly forward while resting one hand on a staff. This seated man, shown from the knees up, wears a richly adorned robe with fur trim and a crown or turban with a decorative pattern. His face is older, with a long beard. Three more men partially fill the upper background, two of whom are listening intently, wearing hats and robes typical of the period. The background features a detailed decorative panel with intricate woodwork and carvings and several poles or spears held by unseen figures.