DAVID PLAYING BEFORE SAUL
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We don't know much about Cavallino (cah və LEE no). He was an Italian, born in Naples. There are only eight paintings remaining that are signed by him. It is possible that some of his paintings were sold with other artists' signatures on them.
He preferred doing small paintings and he liked to paint religious figures and scenes from the Bible. Sometimes he painted characters from Roman mythology.
In the 1600's a disease called bubonic plague killed thousands of people in Europe. It is thought that Cavallino died in the plague in 1656.
In this painting we see David, the shepherd boy, who was also a musician, playing to help to soothe the troubled mind of King Saul. When David played Saul felt better. Today we might refer to this as "music therapy".
Later Saul would become jealous of David because David became very popular with the people. David also became Saul's son-in-law through his marriage to Saul's daughter, Michael.
David was a good friend to Jonathan. Possibly the young man nearest Saul represents his son, Jonathan.
The artist highlights David by showing him in white clothing and making his features distinct.
Another religious painting by Cavallino is Queen Esther appearing before King Ahaseurus. She is pleading for the lives of the Jewish people who had been ordered to be killed.
Enlarged view
The story of the friendship of David and Jonathan can be found in the Bible in First Samuel chapter 20.
Focus On Artists, Grades 4-8
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Art broadens horizons and allows children to see and evaluate are as they see art as a piece of individual human expression. Students will learn about famous and not-so-famous artists as well as the historical periods in which they lived--Renaissance & Baroque, 19th Century and 20th Century. Each lesson provides an overview with the focus, activity and vocabulary words; the lesson includes a materials list and instructions. Extensions activities and an introduction to each artist are also included. 112 reproducible pages, softcover. Grades 4-8.
RESEARCH LINKS
Bernardo Cavallino Online
Other works by Cavallino
Biography of Cavallino
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Famous Artists in this Series
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Art Gallery Famous Paintings Volume 1
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Graphic, "David Playing Before Saul", by Cavallino, 1616-1656 courtesy of CGFA Virtual Art Museum
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