Samuel zalft David 1675

Pietro Aquila’s engraving, "Samuel Anoints David," likely made in Rome in the late 17th century, captures a pivotal biblical moment with an eye to the social and religious conventions of its time. The scene depicts the prophet Samuel anointing David, a humble shepherd, as the future king of Israel. Aquila presents the event with a grandeur reflecting the power and authority of the Catholic Church, a key patron of the arts in Rome. Notice how David is set apart from the other figures with his simple clothes. Meanwhile, the setting is adorned with classical architectural elements, linking religious authority with the established power structures of the Roman state. Engravings such as this one served a didactic purpose, reinforcing religious doctrine and the divinely ordained social hierarchy. To understand this work fully, historians might consult religious texts, accounts of artistic patronage, and studies of social customs in Baroque-era Rome. This all contributes to our understanding of the complex interplay between art, religion, and power.