David. In twaalf boeken. Amsterdam, Pieter Meijer, 1767. [On engraved title page 1766].

First of two epics that Lucretia Wilhelmina van Merken has written. A fine piece of poetry, W.A.P. Smit judges. According to him, it belongs to the three masterpieces of 18th century classicism, together with her other epic ‘Germanicus’, and ‘Abraham de aartsvader’ by Arnold Hoogvliet. His judgement is very enthusiastic compared to the indifferent assessment of Te Winkel, who was not impressed by Van Merken’s portrayal of the hero. This David was percieved by him as very vile and cunning. With that opinion, he agreed with the writer of pamphlet ‘De waare Held’, which appeard shortly after the second edition of ‘David’. The author, who signs with Paulatinus Philocalus’ presents the biblical king as a bloodthirsty, unfaithful, and treacherous war tyrant, as summarised by Smit. L2557

Provenance: former owned by J.W. Six. Jan Willem Six van Vromade (1872-1936) woonde op Huis Hilverbeek in Graveland en had een belangrijke particuliere Nederlandse bibliotheek. Hij is de zoon van Pieter Hendrik Six (1827-1905) en kleinzoon van Lucretia Johanna van Winter en Hendrik Six.