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polity spanish naplesconcept:era early modern

David with the Head of Goliath

Oil on canvas (1610) by Caravaggio, depicting David holding the severed head of Goliath, whose face bears Caravaggio's own features — a self-portrait in extremis. Painted during his Neapolitan exile and sent to Cardinal Scipione Borghese. Held at the Galleria Borghese, Rome.

Scholarly Significance

Caravaggio's late self-portrait as Goliath; painted during his exile in Naples, it reads as a meditation on guilt, punishment, and divine mercy.

Notes

  • ·Painted c.1610 in Naples during Caravaggio's second Neapolitan exile, after fleeing Rome following the killing of Ranuccio Tomassoni (1606).
  • ·The head of Goliath is a self-portrait of Caravaggio — widely read as a guilt-laden meditation on his own sinfulness and plea for mercy.
  • ·The sword David holds is inscribed 'H-AS OS' — possibly an abbreviation for Humilitas occidit superbiam (Humility kills pride).
  • ·Caravaggio sent the painting to Cardinal Scipione Borghese — a powerful advocate — probably hoping it would help him secure a papal pardon, which was granted in July 1610, days before Caravaggio's death.
  • ·Source: 1 Samuel 17:49–51.
  • ·Has remained in the Borghese collection since receipt.