Detail and full picture.
King David playing music in the altarpiece of Sant Vicenç church in the village of Espinelves, Central Catalonia. It was painted around the year 1187.
The altarpiece is dedicated to the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus. On the top left, the scene represents the Three Wise Men and the shooting star they followed to bring presents to Jesus; on the top right, Jesus' entrance to Jerusalem. The bottom row represents the 6 prophets who foresaw the arrival of the Messiah: Isaiah, Jeremiah, David, Ezequiel, Daniel and Zachariah.
King David is often represented playing music because of his devotion to the arts. He is said to be the author of psalms, dance in front of the Ark of the Covenant, and play the lyre, the harp and the zither.
Museu Episcopal de Vic. Detail photo by RomĂ nic CatalĂ .













