Carlo Pellicani, after Carlo Buzzi, David and Goliath

1807-13
Marble
West façade, Milan Cathedral

In I Samuel 17:32-54 the young David uses a sling to fell Goliath, the huge Philistine champion, and then decapitates him. In the foreground he lifts up the head for all to see, his youth and vulnerability suggested by the contrast between his loose garments and Goliath's helmet and shield. In the background, the Philistines flee in fear, leaving behind even their encampment, which the Israelites would soon loot.

This panel is in a sequence of ten images from scripture. It is the third of the three on the left which, with the three on the right, commemorate Old Testament precursors of Christ. The four central reliefs flank the main door of the cathedral and relate to Mary and the New Testament.

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Photographed at the cathedral by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.