King David Receiving the Cistern Water of Bethlehem
By Master of the Antwerp Adoration Group, 1515–20
Curatorial Notes
This scene and that of King Solomon Receiving the Queen of Sheba are particularly fine examples of the decorative style practiced in Antwerp by a group of largely anonymous artists now dubbed Antwerp Mannerists. The paintings originally formed the interior of the wings of a folding triptych with the Adoration of the Magi as its center. Both show gifts being presented to a ruler on his throne and would have been understood as Old Testament prefigurations of the submission of the nations to Christ as king, the theme of the lost Adoration panel. They also provided an excuse for the artist to depict exotic costumes, architecture, and luxury goods—the hallmarks of the Antwerp Mannerist style.
Artwork Identification
Title King David Receiving the Cistern Water of Bethlehem
Title (PT) Rei David Recebendo a Cisterna de Água de Belém
Title (ES) El rey David recibiendo el agua de la cisterna de Belén
Artist Master of the Antwerp Adoration Group
Artist Bio Master of the Antwerp Adoration Group (Netherlandish, active c. 1520)
Date 1515–20
Work Type Painting
Location & Collection
Institution Art Institute of Chicago
Source View Museum Page
License Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
