In contemporary art after the 1970s, several European artists turned to the formal experiments of avant-garde artists at the turn of the century. The essentialization of the form, specifically the summary of an object at the most suggestive lines can be found both in modern and contemporary art.

In the case of contemporary artists like Lövith, the essentialization of form is not done only on the basis of a visual, formal criteria. It is also correlated with the subject, the expressiveness of the lines being associated with some typology of characters: the figure of the mature king, burdensome and crushed by thoughts, Saul, is built on straight lines and angles, while the figure of the young shepherd, David, is represented by sinuous lines, traditionally used to express grace.

The relationship between the two kings of the Old Testament is a complex one. David was loved by King Saul, became his armor bearer, and then he was hunted by him because of the fear that he will be taking his throne. Following their reconciliation and the subsequent death of Saul, David becomes king, the two often representing complementary phases of Jewish history.

This image captures the beginning of Saul and David's relationship, when the young shepherd is brought before the king to alleviate his suffering by playing the lyre. The musical instrument, like the characters, is stylized. The lines in the image, resembling rays, are the strings of the pound. The gesture that David makes with his hand doubles the act of singing in a tender gesture of comfort.