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| Title | David Dancing before the Ark | |
| Collection | Dundee Art Galleries and Museums / McManus Galleries | |
| Artist | Attributed to German School Previously attributed to school of Bril, Paul (Flemish landscapist and fresco painter, 1554-1626, active in Rome) Previously attributed to school of Carracci, Annibale (Italian painter, 1560-1609) Previously attributed to school of König, Johann (German painter, 1586-1642) |
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| Date Earliest | possibly about 1600 | |
| Date Latest | possibly about 1650 | |
| Description | The story of David and the Ark of the Covenant is observed from an elevated viewpoint. Following the biblical text (2 Samuel 6, 1-19), the artist divides the scene into two separate and sequential narrative episodes by the placement of trees in the middle-ground. Set against these, David dances before the Ark in the centre. Musicians play trumpets. Singers and figures with oxen follow from the left. Statues of cherubs stand on the Ark (see Exodus 25, 10-22). To the right, a sunlit Jerusalem emerges in the distance where figures outside the walls refer to the arrival of the Ark. | |
| Current Accession Number | 14-1912 | |
| Subject | religion (David dancing before the Ark of God) | |
| Measurements | 137.2 x 119.4 cm cm (estimate) | |
| Material | oil on canvas | |
| Acquisition Details | Bequeathed by George Duncan 1878 | |
| Publications | Hardie, W., Dundee City Art Gallery Catalogue, 1973, p. 53, as German school, 17th century. | |
| Notes | The Curator of the Alte Pinakothek (Munich) suggested that the artist worked in North-West Germany under Netherlandish influence (letter, 16 December 1969, gallery file). | |
| Rights Owner | © McManus Galleries and Museum | |
| Author | Dr Claudia Heide | |