Saul and the Witch of Endor

Object Details

Artist

William Sidney Mount, born Setauket, NY 1807-died Setauket, NY 1868

Luce Center Label

William Sidney Mount created only a few paintings based on historical and literary scenes. This piece illustrates a passage from the Old Testament, in which Saul sought help from an oracle before going to war with the Philistines. The witch summoned the spirit of the prophet Samuel so that Saul could ask him for advice. In this painting, Saul and his men cower in horror as the ghost comes forward to speak to them (1 Samuel 28). This episode was familiar to nineteenth-century audiences who had been raised on scripture.

Credit Line

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of International Business Machines Corporation

1828

Object number

1966.48.1

Restrictions & Rights

CC0

Type

Painting

Medium

oil on canvas

Dimensions

36 x 48 in. (91.3 x 122.0 cm)

See more items in

Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection

Department

Painting and Sculpture

On View

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 7B

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Topic

Figure group\male

Landscape\time\night

State of being\phenomenon\vision

State of being\emotion\fear

Religion\Old Testament\Saul

Religion\Old Testament\Witch of Endor

Record ID

saam_1966.48.1

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7ed796c6d-08a7-435f-b1bd-cac3bd602b2d