Bathsheba brings the young maid Abishag to the aging King David for body heat. Mezzotint by R. Earlom, 1779, after G. Farington after A. van der Werff, 1696.

  • Werff, Adriaen van der, 1659-1722.
Date:
1779
Reference:
20557i
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Description

Bible. O.T. 1 Kings 1. Abishag was procured by the king because in his old age "he gat no heat"; "he let her cherish him", "but the king knew her not" (1 Kings 1.1-4). She was, however, required to be a virgin. Abishag was to play a sexual role in the intrigue between Adonijah and Solomon, two of David's sons contesting the throne on David's death

Publication/Creation

[London] : John Boydell, 1779.

Physical description

1 print : mezzotint ; image 63.9 x 48.2 cm

Contributors

Lettering

Bathsheba bringing Abishag to David. In the cabinet at Houghton. Size of the picture 2f. 3i by 2f 10i high. Vanderwerffe pinxit. George Farington delint. Richd. Earlom sculpsit

Reference

Wellcome Collection 20557i

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