David
The Met
Artist: Lorenzo Monaco (Piero di Giovanni)(Italian, Florence (?) ca. 1370–1425 Florence (?))
Date: ca. 1408–10
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Tempera on wood, gold ground
Dimensions: Arched top, 22 3/8 x 17 in. (56.8 x 43.2 cm)
Credit Line: Gwynne Andrews and Marquand Funds, and Gift of Mrs. Ralph J. Hines, by exchange, 1965
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Crowned, bearded man in elaborate robes plays a golden stringed instrument on a throne
Detailed Description
The artwork depicts a seated, crowned, bearded man playing a stringed instrument, set against a gold background with an arched top. The figure occupies the central portion of the panel, facing directly forward with his head slightly turned to the left. He wears a golden crown adorned with small white and red jewels, and a circular halo of golden dots surrounds his head. His face is dark-skinned with a full, dark beard and mustache, and his eyes gaze forward. He is dressed in elaborate robes. A light green outer robe drapes over his legs and arms, with a darker blue undergarment visible at his sleeves and lower legs. The blue fabric is patterned with small golden three-petaled flower motifs. A reddish-pink lining is visible at the edges of the green robe. His feet are clad in pointed blue shoes, also decorated with gold. He sits on a simple, light brown bench or throne, only partially visible beneath his voluminous robes. In his hands, he holds a golden, lyre-like stringed instrument. It is shaped like an inverted trapezoid with a curved top, featuring a central circular sound hole and small decorative elements resembling crosses or flowers. His left hand rests on the strings, while his right hand appears to pluck them. The background is entirely gold leaf, heavily cracked and textured, forming an arch above the figure. The lower edge of the panel features a light pink band above a thin green line.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
