David and Goliath

Patrociño Barela, David and Goliath, ca. 1935-1943, carved redwood, 13 146 145 14 in. (33.715.913.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.6

Artwork Details

Title
David and Goliath
Date
ca. 1935-1943
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
13 146 145 14 in. (33.715.913.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Transfer from the General Services Administration
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved redwood
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — Old Testament — David
  • New Deal — Works Progress Administration, Federal Art Project — New Mexico
  • Religion — Old Testament — Goliath
Object Number
1985.65.6

Artwork Description

Patrociño Barela never attended church but expressed his devotion by carving figures and scenes from the Bible. In this sculpture the three sides depict the young David, the Philistine Goliath, and another soldier who faces away. Barela carved the three figures the same size because he wanted to show how the power of God made the boy as mighty as the giant.

Works by this artist (1 item)

John Moll, Women and Birds at Waterfall, 1931, pen and ink, colored pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.185
Women and Birds at Waterfall
Date1931
pen and ink, colored pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

William H. Johnson, Farm Sketches, ca. 1940-1941, pen and ink and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.520
Farm Sketches
Dateca. 1940-1941
pen and ink and pencil on paper
Not on view
Herman Maril, Houses, 1933, tempera, india ink, conte crayon and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Olin Dows, 1983.90.103
Houses
Date1933
tempera, india ink, conte crayon and pencil on paper
Not on view
Scale drawing for Ripples”, Federal Office Building,…
Date1979
felt-tipped pen and ink and pencil on graph paper
Not on view
Theodore Roszak, The Great Moth, 1955, pen and ink, ink wash, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1986.6.73
The Great Moth
Date1955
pen and ink, ink wash, and pencil on paper
Not on view