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Portrait of Abishag the Shummanite Sweden c. 1940 Framed oil painting of Abishag(Hebrew אבישג), companion to King David. Signed in lower middle "Abisagh [sic], A. de Bouche', Por. Lars Christenson, 1940. According to the Bible, Abishag was a beautiful, unmarried Shunammite, brought by the servants of David to his harem to minister to the aged king in the hope of reviving his failing powers. Among Abishag's jobs was to lie next to David and keep him warm; however, David did not have sexual relations with her (1 Kings 1:4b) because he already had eighteen wives (the maximum amount of wives allowed to a Jewish king). After David's death Adonijah persuaded Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, to entreat the king to permit him to marry Abishag. Solomon suspected in this request an aspiration to the throne, and therefore caused him to be put to death (1 Kings 2:17-25). It is possible that Abishag became one of Solomon's wives, as part of his heritage. Some point to the possibility that Abishag is the female protagonist in the Song of Songs. Abishag is described in Rabbinic literature as a woman possessing self-respect and a mind of her own. Overall Dimensions: 33 1/2"W x 2"D x 40 1/2" Image Size: 28 3/4"W x 35 1/2"H Frame Size: 2 1/2"W x 2"D Price $2,100 Condition Painting is in excellent vintage condition. Frame in good vintage condition. Small crack on frame under signature (see photograph), with few nicks/marks on frame. Measurements Height: 40 1/2 Width/Length: 33 1/2 Depth: 2 in. Specifications Number of items: 1 Materials/Technique: Oil on canvas Reference: 00226 |
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