Saul and David n.d.

Baccio Bandinelli rendered this drawing of Saul and David with pen and brown ink. In this sketch from 16th-century Italy, we can see the influence of the powerful Medici family. Bandinelli was employed by the Medici, and their patronage shaped his career. The story of Saul and David, taken from the Bible, was a common subject in Renaissance art, often interpreted through the lens of contemporary politics. Bandinelli seems to consider the drama and complexity of the biblical narrative, where jealousy and power struggles intertwine. Saul’s rage and David’s vulnerability hint at the turbulent political landscape of Florence at the time. Was Bandinelli thinking of his patron? To understand this artwork, we can delve into the Medici's court, Renaissance art theory, and the political symbolism of biblical narratives. The study of art history reveals how artistic expression is entangled with the social and institutional contexts of its creation.