David battles a lion (I Samuel 17:34-36) by Lovis Corinth

1923

David battles a lion (I Samuel 17:34-36)

Listen to curator's interpretation

0:00
0:00

Curatorial notes

Editor: So, this is Lovis Corinth's "David battles a lion (I Samuel 17:34-36)". It's undated, but housed at Harvard Art Museums. The frenetic marks give it such a raw, almost desperate feeling. What do you see in it? Curator: It’s like a glimpse into Corinth's own internal wrestling match, isn't it? The way he's rendered David's struggle—barely controlled chaos. The lion isn't just a beast; it's fear, doubt, the very weight of expectation, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely, it is quite striking to think of the lion as the very weight of expectation. Curator: The ambiguity of the figures almost universalizes the struggle. It is not just David, but anyone overcoming personal trials. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, what lions we all are grappling with? Editor: It certainly does. I appreciate the new perspective. Thank you for sharing that.