How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Buy a print or image licence

You can purchase this reproduction

If you have any products in your basket we recommend that you complete your purchase from Art UK before you leave our site to avoid losing your purchases.

Order a print

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

This is part of a large multi-panelled altarpiece made for the high altar of the church of Santa Croce, Florence. It is a pinnacle panel (from the uppermost section of the altarpiece). There are two other pinnacle panels in our collection, as well as panels from other tiers.

The crowned figure in an ermine-lined cloak is King David, who appears in the Old Testament. He makes a blessing gesture with his right hand and holds a scroll in his left. It bears a damaged Latin inscription, translated as: ‘One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne’ (Psalm 132: 11). These words are a promise from God to David – who was traditionally thought to be the author of the Psalms – that his dynasty would be long and fruitful. Jesus Christ was thought to be descended from David, which gave him a royal, and divinely blessed, lineage (Matthew 1: 1–17).