King David Playing the Zither
by CELESTI, Andrea, Oil on canvas, 135 x 198 cm
David, the shepherd boy who became the king of Israel, was a warrior, a statesman, and also a musician. He is traditionally believed to be the author of the Psalms. He is often represented in renaissance art playing a stringed instrument (usually a harp). The zither is a stringed instrument consisting merely of strings and a string bearer. Together with the lyre it was the main plucked instrument of antiquity.
Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 8 minutes):
Giovanni Bononcini: Sinfonia decima a 7