The plot is taken from the second Book of Samuel Old Testament (11: 2-3). Bathsheba is wife of Uriah the commander, who served the king David. David saw Bathsheba bathing at the time and ordered to send Uriah on the path to death, after that, he took Bathsheba to his palace. As punishment for this sin, David's firstborn died on the seventh day. Bryullov is interested not so much in the plot, but rather an ancient Eastern culture, its spicy beauty.

Nestor Kukolnik (1809-1868) - poet, novelist, playwright, was a close Bryullov's friend. Kukolnik was author of novels devoted to the fate of artists and poets, his the most famous work was "Hand of God saved the Motherland". Bryullov sought to create a romantic image of the poet over background of a mysterious, gloomy landscape and ruins. Kukolnik presented as English dandy with the ironic gaze: the frustration and skepticism became fashionable in the era of romanticism.