Artwork
Belshazzar's Feast
Belshazzar's Feast is an oil painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Andrea Celesti. It dates from 1705 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Belshazzar's Feast is a 1705 oil painting by Andrea Celesti, an Italian artist active in Venice from 1637 to 1712. The work is now held in the State Hermitage Museum.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a biblical scene: the Babylonian king Belshazzar's feast, where a divine hand appears, writing on the wall. The scene is one of opulence, with a long table laden with dishes and golden objects, surrounded by guests.
Technique & Style
Celesti's style had evolved by 1705 to a more fluid and expressive technique, characteristic of the High Baroque Italian movement. The painting employs chiaroscuro, using strong light and dark contrasts to create a sense of volume and depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1705, Belshazzar's Feast reflects Celesti's developing style, which moved away from dense, academic compositions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Andrea Celesti (1637–1712) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, working in Venice. His style gravitated over the years from a turgid and academic weightiness to a lighter, looser brushstroke.
