David Preventing Abishai from Killing Saul
- Catalog
- WD-D12
- Artist
- Willem Drost
- Year
- c. 1650–55
- Medium
- Reed pen and brown ink, with opaque white and scraping
- Dimensions
- 17.7 × 26 cm
- Location
- Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Description
A biblical scene from 1 Samuel 26:7-12, where David prevents his companion Abishai from killing King Saul as he sleeps. Abishai has pulled the spear from the ground, intent on killing Saul, who sprawls at left on his back asleep with his shield beside him.
Analysis
Attributed to Drost by the Rijksmuseum (RP-T-1953-139), this drawing was previously catalogued as Rembrandt (Benesch 650a). The composition's dramatic tension is conveyed through the contrast between the sleeping Saul and the urgent figures of David and Abishai. The reed pen technique with brown ink, opaque white heightening, and selective scraping is characteristic of Drost's handling. Purchased in 1953 with support from the F.G. Waller-Fonds from dealer L. Franklyn, London.
Historical Context
The First Anglo-Dutch War (1652–1654) raged during this period, with naval battles at Portland, the Gabbard, and Scheveningen where Admiral Maarten Tromp was killed. The Delft Thunderclap of 1654 devastated the city and killed Carel Fabritius, Rembrandt’s most gifted former pupil. Queen Christina of Sweden abdicated and converted to Catholicism in Rome. Blaise Pascal experienced his conversion to Jansenism. Drost worked independently in Amsterdam, competing in a vibrant art market while Rembrandt began his descent into bankruptcy.