Ahimelech Giving the Sword of Goliath to David
Painting on canvas • Arent de Gelder (formerly attributed to Rembrandt van Rijn)
Style & Movement
Dutch Golden Age / Baroque (Rembrandtesque style)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; employing chiaroscuro, high-load impasto, and layered glazing
Creation Period
circa 1640s (c. 1642-1644)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 90 cm x 132 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A biblical scene from 1 Samuel 21 depicting the High Priest Ahimelech handing the sword of Goliath to David. The composition features strong theatrical lighting, heavy liturgical textiles, and an emotional, psychological interaction between the elderly priest and the youthful David.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good (based on museum records); shows typical age-related craquelure and stabilized varnish
Estimated Market Value
$1,000,000 - $3,000,000 (reflecting a masterwork by Arent de Gelder)
Auction Estimate
$800,000 - $1,500,000
Provenance History
Significant history including the collection of King Segismund III of Poland; later various private European collections before entering a public museum collection (Getty Museum/private loan context)
Art Historical Significance
Arent de Gelder was Rembrandt's last and most faithful student; this work is a key example of how he continued the late Rembrandt style into the 18th century, maintaining the use of broad brushwork and palette knife techniques.
Notable Features
Signature located on the background wall; highly distinctive use of a palette knife to scratch through wet paint to simulate the texture of metallic embroidery and hair.
Condition Issues
Visible fine craquelure across the paint surface; minor yellowing of aged varnish; evidence of historical lining to support the original canvas.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain controlled humidity (45-55%) and temperature (20°C); use UV-filtered lighting; periodic surface cleaning by a specialist in Old Master paintings.