Collection Online
David with the head of Goliath
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
92.2 × 74.7 cm
Inscription
inscribed (diagonally) in brown and yellow paint c.l.: 1756 I: Zauffalÿ inv. et pinx.
Accession Number
IC1-1994
Department
International Painting
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with the assistance of the Isabella Mary Curnick Bequest and The Art Foundation of Victoria, 1994
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Gallery location
17th & 18th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
Subjects (general)
Human Figures Religion and Mythology
Subjects (specific)
David, King of Israel (Old Testament character) Goliath (Old Testament character) heads (animal components) men (male humans) self-portraits slings (projectile weapons) victories youth (people)
Provenance
Sale, Dessins et Tableaux Anciens, Gersaint, Pavillon Josephine, Strasbourg, 17 November 1989, no. 265, David et Goliath attributed to Anton Raphael Mengs (1728–79 from which purchased by Richard L. Feigen, New York with Richard L. Feigen, New York until 1994 from whom acquired by the NGV with the assistance of the Isabella Mary Curnick Bequest and The Art Foundation of Victoria, 1994.
Frame
Reproduction, 1994

Frame

Zoffany Self-portrait as David with the head of Goliath, 1756, arrived from New York after purchase in 1994, fitted with an eighteenth century English carved timber frame. (above)
The impetus to reframe the painting came at the time of purchase.
The initial proposal was for an original mid-eighteenth century Italian Salvator Rosa frame.
A quote was sought for a replica of the frame (top) which was received in March 1995 and fitted to the painting.

Framemaker
Reproduction - commissioned by the NGV
Date
1994
Materials

carved timber and gold leaf