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Abraham Bloemaert was the chief representative of the late Mannerist style of painting in Holland. Works such as this one were meant to delight the viewer with their mastery of the human figure and the exploitation of its dynamic potential. Poses and gestures are exaggerated and highly artificial passages are contrasted with more naturalistic ones.

Mannerist compositions frequently make learned reference to uncommon themes. The victorious general in this coronation scene may be David receiving the spoils of war after the Jewish defeat of the Ammonites at Rabbah.