Language:
Hebrew
Year of publication:
2022
Titel der Quelle:
מורשת ישראל; כתב-עת ליהדות לציונות ולארץ ישראל
Angaben zur Quelle:
20,1 (תשפב) 29-49
Keywords:
Bathsheba Art
;
Rubens, Peter Paul,
;
Drost, Willem,
;
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn,
;
Bible. Criticism, interpretation, etc.
;
Women Biblical teaching
Abstract:
The article examines how three 17th-century baroque paintings portray Bathsheba’s degree of guilt or innocence in the biblical story of Bathsheba and King David (2 Samuel 11–12). Many biblical stories have information gaps; in this case, they are numerous and raise serious questions for the reader: Why does King David remain in the city when his people are on the battlefield, especially since this is the first battle in which he has not led his army? Where, exactly, is the king relative to where Bathsheba is bathing? Is this location visible to everyone? Is the rooftop mentioned in the story King David’s, from which he could observe the bather, or is it the one on which Bathsheba is bathing? Is she naked or partially clothed? Does the king act arbitrarily in having her brought to him, knowing that she is a married woman? Is the king so in love with Bathsheba that his judgment is impaired, or is it a short-lived passion that leads to a momentary lapse? Readers learn nothing of Bathsheba’s thoughts, feelings, or reactions to the events. Her voice is minor and her only words are “I am with child” (2 Samuel 11: 5).The information gaps in this complex affair sparked the imagination of many artists, who translated the written story into visual images. Three artists, Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640), Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669), and Willem Drost (1633–1659), represent this event in their works. Their depictions of the event diverge widely, and in particular their attitudes towards Bathsheba: Is she a wanton seductress, or is she an innocent victim of circumstance and violence? This article places Bathsheba “on trial” by examining these three artists’ various approaches towards this subject. This echoes the women’s movement of “breaking the silence,” which, in 2017, turned into the global #MeToo movement against sexual harassment.
Note:
With an English abstract.
URL:
אתר את הפרסום בקטלוג המאוחד של ספריות ישראל
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