"The Marriage of David and Abigail" Pauwels Casteels (Antwerp, circa 1625 – Antwerp, after 1677) Oil on copper Measurements 88 x 70 frame 104 x 86 The work is monogrammed P.C. IN at the bottom center. This large painting on copper, executed with extraordinary finesse in the rendering of details, depicts the marriage of David to Abigail, his second wife, beautiful and equally wise. The scene is rich in the most varied characters, with a great display of clothing and an exceptional abundance of male and female ornaments. In addition to the two spouses with the High Priest, the severe and disgruntled figure of King Saul, seated on the throne, stands out, foreseeing in the young David the future King of the Jews. The work, which embodies the best characteristics of 17th-century Flemish art, can be attributed with certainty to the renowned Antwerp master Pauwels Casteels, who places his initials on the floor at the bottom center of the painting (a custom of the master found in other of his works). The Author, following his typical stylistic canons, creates a lavish festive scene, where the elegance of the characters is shown in every detail, with the skill that distinguishes his works. The exceptional size of the copper, also found several times in his catalog, allows him to give the composition a great effect of space and three-dimensionality. The painting is in excellent condition over the entire surface. The copper sheet has undulations and some defects on the edges. Pauwels Casteels was a Flemish painter and draftsman. He was born in Antwerp around 1625. As the son of a master, he was admitted to the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp in the years 1649-1650. Casteels was a versatile painter who painted battles, mythological, historical, and biblical scenes. Casteels' works were distributed by the Antwerp art dealers Forchondt, who traded works of art throughout Europe. His paintings have sometimes been attributed to other Flemish painters, such as Jan Cossiers, Simon de Vos, and Cornelis de Vos. The compositions are always crowded with numerous figures, all strongly individualized and painted with excellent attention to detail, thus drawing the observer into the countless details of the scene. It is not known exactly when he died, but certainly after 1677, the year in which he dated one of his works. We issue a stamped and signed certificate of authenticity that guarantees the period, provenance, and all the characteristics of the work, drawn up by an Antique dealer affiliated with FIMA (ITALIAN FEDERATION OF ART MERCHANTS). Delivery in Italy and throughout Europe within 3 days of receiving the bank transfer. The shipment is tracked and insured and travels with careful shockproof packaging inside a custom-made wooden box.