SALVIATI, Cecchino del
(b. 1510, Firenze, d. 1563, Roma)

The Story of David (4 scenes)

1552-54
Fresco
Sala dell'Udienza Invernale, Palazzo Ricci-Sacchetti, Rome

The large scene on the long wall opposite to the battle scene depicts the Death of David's son, Absalom. The Bible characterizes Absalom as the handsomest man in all Israel, and Salviati quotes here the classical model of male beauty, the Apollo Belvedere.

In the small image above the scene, Salviati depicts David Plays the Harp. Not shown in the present picture are two further scenes on this wall, David Speaks to the Army, and David Learns Absalom's Death, to the left and to the right of the main scene, respectively.