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David, the 3rd king of the Jewish people, was originally a shepherd who, through his courage, defeated the Phylistines in the 11th century BC by killing the giant Goliath.
Abigail was the wife of a wealthy landowner called Nabal, who refused to supply King David's emissaries with food for his army on campaign.
Faced with her husband's intransigence and the wrath of David that threatened to descend upon them, Abigail decided to go and meet King David to hand over the gifts.
In the painting, we see David in war dress, a red cloak over his shoulders, synonymous with power and glory, surrounded by a troop of soldiers, rushing to relieve Abigail, who has thrown herself at his feet, her arm resting on his heart. She is surrounded by her servants and certain members of her family.
At her feet, the offerings are placed on the ground: quarters of meat, wine in a silver jug and a golden dish filled with bread. Behind her stands a maid with a pie in her arms, synonymous with an offering to the gods.
Jan van den Hoecke was born in Antwerp and apprenticed to the Flemish Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), becoming one of his most talented collaborators on numerous commissions, including that for the gallery of Maria de' Medici.
After a stay in Italy, he opened a studio in Antwerp and was commissioned by Ferdinand III at the Viennese court.
Related works by jan van den Hoecke:
The reconciliation between Esau and Jacob Groeningemuseum, Brugges.
Hercules between vice and virtue, galerie des offices Florence
dimension without cadre : 203 cm x 141 cm
dimension with cadre : 215 cm x 154 cm
