David tot koning gezalfd Possibly 1705 - 1728

Editor: Here we have Pieter Sluyter’s engraving, "David tot koning gezalfd," dating back to the early 18th century. The moment is powerful: David is being anointed as King. The lines of the engraving are incredibly detailed, yet it all feels so staged, like a play. What’s your take on this, looking at it with fresh eyes? Curator: Oh, staged, absolutely! It’s a Baroque theatrical production. Consider how light and shadow are manipulated – less for realism, more for dramatic impact. What I find truly engaging is the blend of earthly and divine power, right? You have Samuel anointing David, while an altar smokes in the background. But what does the presence of the dog, so casually lounging, tell us? Editor: That's unexpected – the sacred meeting contrasted with such a...domestic element? Almost like a comic relief. Curator: Precisely! It disrupts the high seriousness, introducing a note of the everyday. Maybe it's about questioning absolute authority or hinting at David's humble origins as a shepherd? Also notice everyone gathered around, these figures become witnesses – they carry the weight of expectation. How do you feel knowing that it's an engraving? Editor: Knowing that it is an engraving makes me more aware of its historical nature. There’s a formality because the creation and reproduction was more rigid back then. Did people understand these nuances back in the 18th century or are we projecting meaning here? Curator: That’s the beauty of art, isn’t it? Some would get the religious context right away. But the humor and subversion? That could be us, discovering it through a modern lens. Maybe it is both intended and found! Editor: So, it's a layered narrative then; religious, historical, perhaps a bit mischievous too? I'm looking at it completely differently now.