Who painted The Feast of the Pharisees?

The Feast of the Pharisees was painted by Jacques Callot in 1618.

Where can I see The Feast of the Pharisees?

The Feast of the Pharisees is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Feast of the Pharisees?

The Feast of the Pharisees is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Feast of the Pharisees

Jacques Callot , 1618

The Feast of the Pharisees is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1618 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s *The Feast of the Pharisees* is an etching executed on laid paper in 1618. The work belongs to the French Baroque period and exemplifies Callot’s prolific output, which exceeds fourteen hundred prints. It presents a compact group portrait of five individuals gathered around a modestly set table, illuminated by a shaft of light that emphasizes the scene’s intimate atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays a biblical banquet, suggested by the presence of two haloed figures among the diners. While the halos signal a sacred narrative, the participants are rendered in ordinary dress, creating a tension between the holy and the everyday. This juxtaposition reflects Callot’s interest in embedding religious themes within familiar, contemporary settings.

Technique & Style

Callot employed the etching process, incising fine lines into a copper plate before transferring the image onto laid paper. His hand is evident in the sharp, sketch‑like strokes that delineate facial expressions and clothing folds. The use of light—rays descending from above—adds depth and highlights the meticulous detail achievable through the medium.

History & Provenance

Created in the early seventeenth century, the print emerged during Callot’s most productive phase, when he was documenting a range of subjects from soldiers to landscapes. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been catalogued among his religious series and is held in several major print collections, confirming its continued scholarly relevance.

Context

*The Feast of the Pharisees* aligns with the broader Baroque fascination with dramatic lighting and narrative clarity. Callot’s Lorraine background placed him at a cultural crossroads, allowing him to absorb Italian influences while retaining a distinct French sensibility. The work thus reflects both the period’s artistic trends and the artist’s personal engagement with scriptural motifs.