Shop art print and framed art David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio

David with the Head of Goliath is a painting by the Baroque painter Caravaggio, produced around 1606-1607 or 1609-1610 and exhibited in the Galleria Borghese in Rome, Italy. There is an earlier version on this theme dating from 1601. It depicts the moment when David, showing an affected face, presents the head of his enemy. It is difficult to date this work precisely. Art historians base their opinion on the theme and iconography used by the painter: it is said to be an appeal for judicial forgiveness after the murder of which he was guilty on 28 May 1606. Although its origin was initially estimated at 1605, it is now dated to 1607, when the painter went into exile outside Rome, either in Naples or Malta. Nevertheless, some authors date its creation to 1609-1610, which corresponds to Caravaggio's second stay in Naples and to the end of his life, when he was putting all his personal and artistic experience into practice. What's more, the poor condition of the painting's surface makes dating difficult, and researchers can hardly rely on the gestures used by the young man, which are often described as "pictorial clichés". The recipient of the painting is also much debated by researchers. They believe that the painting was a gift for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, an influential prelate whose support the painter hoped would hasten his judicial pardon. The presence of the work in the latter's collection from 1613 onwards is documented by several sources: a dated invoice for the [...]

This artwork is a painting from the classical period. It belongs to the baroque style.

Find the full description of David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio on Wikipedia.