Ahimelech Giving the Sword of Goliath to David

1680 · J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

religious

Aert de Gelder, a pupil of Rembrandt, remained faithful to his master until the end of his life. De Gelder followed him not only in painting technique, but also in his attention to costumes and accessories. He built up a collection of robes, head coverings, armour and weapons, all of which he used in his biblical representations.

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Ahimelech Giving the Sword of Goliath to David

About the Artist

Aert de Gelder

1645 – 1727

Dutch painter, active mainly in his native Dordrecht. After studying there with Hoogstraten, he became one of Rembrandt 's last pupils in Amsterdam. He was not only one of the most talented of Rembrandt's pupils, but also one of his most devoted followers, for he was the only Dutch artist to continue working in his style into the 18th century. His religious paintings, in particular, with their imaginative boldness and preference for oriental types, are very much in the master's spirit, although de Gelder often used colors - such as lilac and lemon yellow - that were untypical of Rembrandt, and his palette was in general lighter. One of his best-known works, Jacob's Dream (Dulwich College Picture Gallery, London), was long attributed to Rembrandt.

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