Bathsheba (Italian: Betsabea) is an 1827 history painting by the Italian artist Francesco Hayez.[1] It features the biblical figure of Bathsheba in a nude scene, who is watched bathing by the Israelite king David. She is shown facing away from the viewer and wearing a single bangle on her arm while David can be seen at a high vantage point at the top of the painting.[2] Numerous paintings had been produced from the Renaissance era onwards featuring the scene.[3] It was the first of three paintings Hayez would produce featuring Bathsheba.
Hayez appears to have produced the work on his own initiative without a commission. It was exhibited at the Brera Academy in Milan the same year and acquired by William I of Württemberg.[4] Its rediscovery in 1998 was described by Fernando Mazzocca as "one of the most sensational rediscoveries in the history of nineteenth century Italian art".[2]
References
- ^ Androsov p.313
- ^ a b "Lot essay - FRANCESCO HAYEZ (VENICE 1791-1882 MILAN - lot-6510043)". Christie's. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- ^ Jones, Murray & Murray p.144-45
- ^ Mazzocca p.180
Bibliography
- Androsov, Sergej (ed.) Canova: l'ideale classico tra scultura e pittura. Silvana, 2009.
- Jones, Tom Devonshire, Murray, Linda & Murray, Peter. The Oxford Dictionary of Christian Art and Architecture. OUP Oxford, 2013.
- Mazzocca, Fernando. Francesco Hayez: catalogo ragionato. F. Motta, 1994.
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