Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom
The story of First Kings covers Solomon’s life. One of the main topics in his story focuses on his wisdom that he receives from God (1King 3:9). Govert Flinck offers an interesting interpretation called Solomon’s prayer for wisdom done in 1658/9. Govert Flinck had many influences that played a role in his interpretation of Solomon, where it was created, his education growing up, and the history during that time.
The painting was created in the Royal Palace, Amsterdam back then it was considered the town hall, in the Council Chamber room where he was asked and paid to paint the picture. The placement of the painting is also supposed to symbolize wisdom. The Council Chamber is one of the most extravagantly decorated rooms in the Royal Palace. The decorations are all meant to symbolize wisdom and the makings of a good council. This room over many centuries has been used to educate, inspire and provide advise to those who are around.
Govert Flinck did not just gain his skills over night he was actually a student of some of the most famous Dutch painters. He was an artiste who focuses mainly on biblical and allegorical concepts, which lead him to the text on Solomon. He learned from Rembrandt, and was considered one of Rembrandts most accomplished students. He followed many of Rembrandt’s techniques before being influenced by Peter Paul Rubens. You can see both of their techniques in the influence of Flicks painting of Solomon. Rubens touch focuses more on, color and movement, while Rembrandt’s focuses on the lighting and contrast.
Another thing that had an impact on how it was constructed was what was going on in history around him at the time. During the time Solomon’s Payer for Wisdom was constructed in Amsterdam, Dutch Republic (now Netherlands) they were going through a revolt against Spanish rule. Flinck’s interpretation of Solomon shows him in a gold robe because Flinck wanted to show that Solomon was the ruler and had money but he was not to be represented as holey so he avoided painting Solomon in blues, or purples. Solomon is wise but does not compare to the power that God holds. The rulers during the revolt had power but were corrupt and were not in any comparison to the power God holds. Flinck also paints many important people behind Solomon who are there to just watch and observe. This also plays into the revolts because the rulers also had many powerful men behind them who supported the rulers to look out for their fame, and fortune.
In conclusion Govert Flinck’s interpretations of Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom, was influenced by the history around 1658, by his teachers, and by the place it was created for. The interpretation of Solomon could have been very different had those factors not played out the way they were.
Citation
-"Govert Flinck: Dutch Painter." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. August 5, 2014. Accessed December 6, 2015. http://www.britannica.com/biography/Govert-Flinck.
-Meijer, D. C. "New Rijksmuseum Pt. V: Govert Flinck." Journal of Historians of Netherlandish Art 7, no. 2 (2015). Accessed November 22, 2015. doi:10.5093/jhna.2015.7.2.5.
-"Mozeszaal / Council Chamber." Royal Palace Amsterdam. Accessed December 6, 2015. file:///Users/monicabellin/Desktop/role%20of%20the%20Royal%20Palace%20%7C%20Koninklijk%20Paleis%20Amsterdam.webarchive
-Steen, Jasper. "De Zeventiende Eeuw. Cultuur in De Nederlanden in Interdisciplinair Perspectief." The Trap of History. The States Party and the Revolt of the Netherlands, 1650-1660. March 3, 2014. Accessed December 6, 2015. https://www.de-zeventiende-eeuw.nl/articles/10.18352/dze.9403/.
Created by: Monica Bellin
