Initial S with King David as Scribe

Master of the Cypresses

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a man shown from the waist up, seated in an ornate space. He is positioned with his body turned slightly to the right, facing a desk while holding a quill pen in his right hand close to his chin and resting his left hand on an open book. The man's facial features include a full beard and mustache with a contemplative gaze. His gray, curly hair is visible beneath a gold crown adorned with finials. He is dressed in an elaborate robe with red and yellow fabric, trimmed with white. The scene includes a small, round table with writing materials and another book, along with a wooden chair with a checkerboard patterned floor below. The background is richly decorated with gold hues, blue and purple swirling designs, and two green dragon heads protruding from the sides of the ornate letter-shaped frame, which itself includes additional decorative elements in gold and blue.