File:Arthur Szyk (1894-1951). David and Saul (1921), Łódź, Poland.jpg

English: This unique painting, executed in Szyk’s most elaborate, 16th century miniature style portrays the first King of Israel, Saul, and his young successor David. King Saul, clothed in all the embellishments his rank decrees-- jewels, precious fabrics and a mighty sword, looms fiercely over David. His face reflects the grim anger and jealousy provoked by the younger man’s triumphs. This beautiful David, envisioned here by Szyk, embodies all the poetry and romantic spirit incubated in the Jewish nation. Here are the long slender hands of the “sweet singer of Israel” cradling a harp, the same hands which slew a giant.

Symbols and iconography of ancient Israel are minutely dispersed across the image. Each man has both a Magen David and a tiny rendition of the tablets of Moses adorning his chest. The Lion of Judah forms the base of David’s lyre.Arthur Szyk’s signature and date are visible just above David’s left shoulder. The verso of the carved frame (original to the painting) has another signature of Szyk. Remnants of a faded, pasted tag suggest exhibition appearances since the work is titled “David and Saul, N 15”. Szyk’s earliest one-man exhibitions were both presented in 1922 at the Exposition de L’Oeuvre d’ Arthur Szyk at the Galeries A. Decour in Paris and Wystawy Obrazow Artura Szyka in Lodz, Poland. Both Paris and Lodz are written separately in ink on the frame’s verso.

Arthur Szyk readily acknowledged the importance and influence that the stories and heroes of the Bible provided for him. These legendary figures fueled the prodigious imagination and creativity which lasted the length of his lifetime. The watercolor technique seen here in David and Saul is among the earliest possible known examples of the style Szyk would make world famous. This is a rare and decidedly precious gem from the master illuminator.This is the earliest watercolor image of Szyk we have seen, with his works from the early ‘20s being rare on the market; those with Jewish themes are exceedingly rare.