Harp
Psalmist king—stringed instrument held vertically or across lap.
Old Testament
David
King David
The sling and Goliath’s severed head belong to the young David. A crown and harp show him in his role as king and psalmist.
David with the head of GoliathCaravaggio · 1600/1601
01 / 02
Iconographic field guide
Identifying features
Harp is the portrait attribute; sling and Goliath’s head belong to narrative battle scenes. Crown marks kingship in anointing panels. Do not confuse young David with Jonathan or with Orpheus mythological figures lacking Christian halo.
- Clothing
- shepherd garb or royal robes
- Colours
- gold · white
- Symbols
- harp · crown
Sword
Goliath’s sword or royal scepter-like blade in victory scenes.
slingshot
Victory over Goliath
Visual Gallery
Works / 02David with the head of GoliathCaravaggio · 1600/1601
David with the head of GoliathCaravaggio · c. 1600
Biography
Life & legacy
1 Samuel 17The First Book of Samuel recounts the young David’s victory over Goliath with a sling. Later narratives tell of his kingship. A harp identifies the king as a musician and recalls the traditional attribution of many psalms to him.
1–2 Samuel; Psalms; typology in medieval exegesis.
Representation in Sacred Art
Narrative scenes to recognize
defeating Goliath
playing the harp
anointing
Visual Recognition Guide
1.Slingshot or sword
Victory over Goliath
2.Head of Goliath
Narrative of the battle
3.Harp
Psalmist and musician
4.Crown (as king)
Royal status
Patronage and Devotion
musicianspoets
Notes from the Archive
- One of the most sculpted biblical heroes of the Renaissance
Practice
