Final answer:
In art, Jesus and David are both depicted as significant religious figures. Jesus is shown performing miracles and interacting with his disciples, while David's art narrates his kingship and God's favor. Their stories and depictions in art highlight themes of leadership, divinity, and the human-divine relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing Jesus and David in the context of various artworks, it is notable that both are depicted in situations that underscore their significance in religious and cultural narratives. Jesus, in fresco narratives, is often shown performing miracles and engaging with his disciples, as seen in the scene where Christ instructs Peter to find a coin in the mouth of a fish to pay the tax collector, depicting Christ's miraculous provision.
St. Peter is portrayed three times in the fresco, demonstrating confusion, faith, and obedience; first reacting to the tax collector, then finding the coin in the fish, and finally paying the tax collector. On the other hand, King David is also a prominent figure often portrayed in art.
David's narrative highlights his rise to kingship and his relationship with God. However, depictions of David, like the fresco noting the presence of King David next to Saul, can contrast David's divine appointment and favor with the downfall of Saul. Both Jesus and David's stories explore themes of divinity, leadership, and the relationship between the human and divine.
Their representations in art offer opportunities to reflect on these themes, with Jesus usually representing the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, of which David is a significant part. In Caravaggio's paintings of St. Peter and St. Paul, both disciples are shown in moments that underscore their foundational roles in Christianity, linking them to Rome and the papacy, thereby connecting Peter's narrative with the larger story of the Church's history and future.