Bathsheba Bathing, Discovered by King David

Artist William Hamilton (British, 1751-1801)

Date1799

MediumWatercolor and gouache on paper

DimensionsSheet: 18 × 13 1/8 in. (45.7 × 33.3 cm)
Matt (Window): 17 5/8 × 12 1/2 in. (44.8 × 31.8 cm)
Frame: 22 × 28 in. (55.9 × 71.1 cm)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineGift of Mrs. George Hawkins, 1953

Object numberSN668

Hamilton was best known for his depictions of scenes from plays, particularly those of Shakespeare. In this biblical episode, King David, on the balcony at upper right, observes Bathsheba at her bath. As with most depictions of this story, the real subject here is the nude female form: indeed, while the figure of Bathsheba is carefully modeled, the rest is much more loosely handled. Hamilton, a member of the Royal Academy, submitted this work to the Academy's annual exhibition of 1799.

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