Author: Gustaw Zemła (born 1931, Jasienica Rosielna)
Terracotta
Unsigned
On deposit from the artist after the exhibition in Radziejowice (2011)
Model of the monument realised in Zamość (2007) to commemorate the contribution of Jews to the history and culture of Poland (initiative of the “Karta z dziejów” Foundation).
The monument depicts David (c. 1030–975 BCE), the biblical king of Israel, who distinguished himself by uniting the dispersed tribes of Judah and Israel and by conquering Jerusalem, where he intended to build a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. This task, however, in accordance with the will of Yahweh, was ultimately carried out by his son, Solomon. Apart from his fame as an inspired musician playing the zither, lyre and flute, he was also known for his poetic talent – he is traditionally credited with 73 psalms.
The Radziejowice depiction presents David as a dignified old man. The seated figure, shown frontally, supports a zither resting on his knees with his left hand, while the right hand, with long fingers, plucks the strings. The crowned head, raised upward in inspiration and slightly turned to the left, is framed by gently wavy hair falling softly to the sides and down his straight back. A sense of concentration is evident in the ascetic face, beneath drawn brows, with deeply set eyes and a long nose. The distinct outline of the face is softened by a full beard. The long garment, arranged in intricate folds and gathered in the outer cloak resembling a toga, emphasises the body’s form; at the back it is parted, revealing a clearly defined spine and upper ribs, whose elaborate form recalls the arms of a menorah—the Jerusalem candelabrum.
Also in Radziejowice, in the hall of the New Art House, there is a plaster model of the same monument, which the artist used to cast the large-scale version for Zamość.
Text: Elżbieta Charazińska
Editing: Beata Fiugajska
Photo: Piotr Ligier