Who painted Idolatry of Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-6)?

Idolatry of Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-6) was painted by Adriaen van Stalbemt in 1610.

Where can I see Idolatry of Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-6)?

Idolatry of Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-6) is held by National Museum in Warsaw.

What movement is Idolatry of Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-6)?

Idolatry of Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-6) is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Idolatry of Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-6)

Adriaen van Stalbemt , 1610

Idolatry of Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-6) is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Adriaen van Stalbemt. It dates from 1610 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.

About this work

Overview

Adriaen van Stalbemt’s oil painting *Idolatry of Solomon* was executed in 1610. The work illustrates the biblical episode from 1 Kings 11:1‑6, in which King Solomon turns to foreign worship. It is part of the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw and exemplifies the Flemish Baroque style of the early seventeenth century.

Subject & Meaning

The composition gathers a group of robed figures around a central fire. A man elevated on a platform holds a tray, suggesting a ritual offering. The surrounding participants, adorned with headdresses, appear engaged in a solemn ceremony, reflecting the scriptural account of Solomon’s deviation from monotheism.

Technique & Style

Van Stalbemt employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing illuminated figures against a darker backdrop to model volume and convey depth. Architectural elements such as columns and draped fabric frame the scene, adding a sense of grandeur typical of Baroque religious narratives.

History & Provenance

The Flemish artist, known for both landscapes and religious subjects, often supplied staffage figures for other painters’ compositions. *Idolatry of Solomon* entered the National Museum in Warsaw’s holdings in the twentieth century, where it remains on display as a representative example of his oeuvre and of Flemish Baroque painting.

Artist & collection

Artist

Adriaen van Stalbemt

Adriaen or Adriaan van Stalbemt or Adriaen van Stalbempt (12 June 1580 – 21 September 1662) was a Flemish painter and printmaker who is known for his landscapes with religious, mythological and allegorical scenes.