Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio Self-Portrait David with the Head of Goliath 1605

Note: The picture with frame is for illustration purposes only. The print is unframed.
Sheet Dimensions: 8.5" × 9.75"

In this dramatic Baroque masterpiece, Caravaggio presents a striking self-portrait in the form of Goliath’s severed head, held by a youthful and somber David. The work is rich in psychological depth, with Goliath's face bearing an expression of pain, remorse, and resignation—interpreted as a reflection of Caravaggio’s own troubled life.

The chiaroscuro (light-dark contrast) intensifies the emotional tension, emphasizing the realism and brutality of the scene. David, often seen as a symbol of justice and divine retribution, gazes at Goliath with an expression that suggests contemplation rather than triumph. Some scholars believe that this painting was intended as a plea for pardon from the Pope, as Caravaggio was living in exile after committing murder.