David Brought Before Saul, from "The Art Journal," opposite p. 100

Art Historical Context

This etching and engraving, published in the April 1871 issue of *The Art Journal*, captures the biblical moment when the young David is brought before King Saul after his triumph over Goliath. scene, drawn from the of Samuel, highlights themes of courage, divine favor, and royal recognition, rendered with careful attention to expressive faces and period costume. Created for a wide Victorian audience, the print served both devotional and educational purposes, bringing a dramatic Old Testament narrative into middle-class homes through affordable illustrated journals. The work reflects the collaborative nature of 19th-century printmaking. Louisa Starr Canziani, a rising British painter known for historical subjects, likely supplied the original design, which was then translated into etching and engraving by Samuel S. Smith and published by J. S. Virtue & Co. This reproductive technique allowed intricate details and tonal depth to reach readers far beyond gallery walls, underscoring the era’s belief in art as a tool for moral and cultural improvement. Measuring just under ten inches wide, the intimate scale suits its role as a periodical illustration while still conveying the solemnity of the encounter between the shepherd-boy hero and the troubled king. Today it offers a window into how biblical stories were visualized and shared in the Victorian age.

About the Artist

Samuel S. Smith|Louisa Starr Canziani|J. S. Virtue & Co. (British|British|British) · 1810 |1845 |1820 –1879 |1909 |1908

British, London? 1810–1879 London|British, London 1845–1909 London|