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| Artist | Thys, Pieter (Flemish painter, 1624-1677) |
| Title | Bathsheba |
| Date earliest | possibly about 1644 |
| Date latest | possibly about 1677 |
| Material | oil on canvas |
| Measurements | 197.5 x 242.7 cm |
| Inscription | front cl 'P. Tys' |
| Description | The subject of this painting is taken from the Old Testament (Samuel 2. 2-17) and is one that has been popular with artists throughout western art. A voluptuous Bathsheba is depicted at her toilet, being towelled dry by an attendant, while two Cupid like cherubs look on. A small dog announces the arrival of a messenger. According to the story, King David, walking on the roof of his palace had seen Bathsheba, and ordered her to be brought before him. They made love, and Bathsheba became pregnant. Her husband, Uriah, was away fighting in David's army and David commanded that he be placed in the front line of battle, where, as hoped, he was soon killed. Bathsheba's baby lived only a few days, and David did penance for the immorality of his actions. |
| Subject | religion (Bathsheba); figure; animal (dog) |
| Collection | Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead |
| Current accession number | TWCMS:B9984 |
| Previous accession number(s) | SAG 335 |
| Acquisition details | Bequeathed by J. A. D. Shipley, 1909. |
| Principal publications | Catalogue of the Shipley Collection, 1917, no. 335 as Nicholaus Tyssens; Catalogue of the Shipley Collection, 1921, no. 335 as Tyssens; Catalogue of the Shipley Collection, 1951, no. 335 as Pieter Thys (or Tyssens). |
| Notes |
This work is a possible copy, by Thys, of an unsigned Rubens' workshop production in the National Museum in Stockholm, inventory no. 16. The Rubens was engraved by Pontius in 1624. |
| Rights status | The Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead (Tyne and Wear Museums) |
| Author | Elizabeth van der Beugel |
