CELESTI, Andrea
(b. 1637, Venezia, d. 1712, Venezia)

King David Playing the Zither

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Oil on canvas, 135 x 198 cm
Private collection

David, the shepherd boy who became the king of Israel, was a warrior, a statesman, and also a musician. He is traditionally believed to be the author of the Psalms. He is often represented in renaissance art playing a stringed instrument (usually a harp). The zither is a stringed instrument consisting merely of strings and a string bearer. Together with the lyre it was the main plucked instrument of antiquity.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 8 minutes):
Giovanni Bononcini: Sinfonia decima a 7