Belshazzar's Feast was painted by Rembrandt around 1630, at a time when the painter's works were full of light, colour, and monumental figures. The scene is from the Bible: Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, is depicted in the centre urging his banquet guests to drink from the gold and silver cups that have just been plundered from the Temple of Jerusalem. Suddenly, a hand appears out of thin air and writes a mysterious phrase on the wall that announces the end of Belshazzar's reign that very same night. Rembrandt captures the most dramatic moment as the king turns around, filled with terror while he looks at the miracle. His sudden movement also frightens his guests: goblets are overturned, Belshazzar slams his fist on a metal plate, the guests are screaming. The musician in the background is the only figure who is unaffected, and continues to play without noticing anything.
Language: English