Girard Audran, “King David Dances and Plays the Harp”, c.1667, after Domenichino

Girard Audran (aka Gérard Audran) (1640–1703)

“King David Dances and Plays the Harp”, c.1667 (1666–1668), from the series of four plates, “Scenes from the Old Testament in the San Silvestro in Rome” after the frescoes by Domenichino (aka Domenico Zampieri) (1581–1641) in the pendentives of the Bandini Chapel in San Silvestro al Quirinale in Rome (c.1628), with privilege from Louis XIV (King of France).

Etching with engraving on heavy laid paper.

Size: (sheet) 54.3 x 40.4 cm; (plate) 49.5 x 36.8 cm; (outer image borderline) 43.4 x 36.5 cm.

Lettered in plate: (lower left) “Dominiq. Pinx.”: (lower centre) “Vilior fiam plusquam factus sum, et humilis ero in occulis meis. 2 Regum. Cap.6.“ ([transl.] I will become more base than I have been made, and I will be humble in my own eyes. 2 Kings. Chapter 6.); (lower right) “G.Audran, Sculp. Ro”.

IFF 109 (Roger-Armand Weigert 1939, “Inventaire du Fonds Français Graveurs du XVIIe: ALIX (Jean)–BOUDEAU (Jean)”, Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes, vol. 1, p. 142, cat. no. 109 [Scènes de l’Ancen Testament] [see https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5489424r/f146]); Robert-Dumesnil 101 (Robert-Dumesnil 1835–71, “Le Peintre-Graveur Français”, Paris, vol. 9, p. 291, cat. no. 101).

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “David dances and plays the harp; in an oval: on the right, David, with his head turned to his left, surrounded by young men playing musical in[s]truments; on the left, a young man restraining a sheep; after Domenichino” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_U-4-28).

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression with reasonably large margins. There is a hole at lower centre and a mark in the margin at left, otherwise, the sheet is in a reasonably good condition for its age and large size with no tears, folds or significant stains.

I am selling this marvellously lively etching after a fresco by Domenichino—for those who like intrigue and drama, Domenichino’s painting was completed thirteen years after (alleged) attempts on his life by an associate who cut planks in his scaffold and finally succeeded in killing him with poison—for AU $312 (currently US $193.74/ EUR 188/GBP158.75 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU $312) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this very beautiful etching, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold