Artwork
The Banquet in the House of Simon the Pharisee
The Banquet in the House of Simon the Pharisee is a print by the Baroque artist Pierre Subleyras. It dates from 1738 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Banquet in the House of Simon the Pharisee is an etching by Subleyras, based on a painting of the same subject.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts a biblical episode from the Gospel of Luke, where a sinful woman washes Christ's feet with her tears during a dinner hosted by Simon the Pharisee, prompting Simon's astonishment.
Technique & Style
Subleyras employed chiaroscuro, a technique using strong contrasts between light and dark, to draw the viewer's attention to key elements in the composition.
Context
The original painting was commissioned for the dining room of the Order of Saint John Lateran's monastery in Asti, Italy, where monks would gather to eat, making the scene a reflection on forgiveness in their daily lives.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre Subleyras (French: ; November 25, 1699 – May 28, 1749) was a French painter, active during the late-Baroque and early-Neoclassic period, mainly in Italy.
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