Who painted Belshazzar's Vision?

Belshazzar's Vision was painted by Samuel van Hoogstraten in 1659.

Where can I see Belshazzar's Vision?

Belshazzar's Vision is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Belshazzar's Vision?

Belshazzar's Vision is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Belshazzar's Vision

Samuel van Hoogstraten , 1659

Belshazzar's Vision is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Samuel van Hoogstraten. It dates from 1659 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Samuel van Hoogstraten’s 1659 oil painting *Belshazzar’s Vision* presents a nocturnal banquet scene rendered in the Dutch Golden Age style. The canvas, now part of the Statens Museum for Kunst collection, captures a moment from the biblical narrative of King Belshazzar, using a composition that draws the eye to the central figures amid a dimly lit hall.

Subject & Meaning

The work illustrates the legendary feast of Babylonian king Belshazzar, where a regal figure cradles an infant while another attendant stands beside a dog. The surrounding guests raise cups of wine, suggesting a celebratory yet ominous atmosphere that alludes to the prophetic warning traditionally associated with the king’s banquet.

Technique & Style

Van Hoogstraten employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated faces and the gleaming banquet table with deep shadows that recede into the background. This manipulation of light not only models the forms but also guides the viewer’s focus toward the principal characters, while the richly colored garments and the chandelier add a sense of opulent interior space.

History & Provenance

Born in Dordrecht, van Hoogstraten was not only a painter but also an influential writer on artistic theory. *Belshazzar’s Vision* reflects his theoretical interests in visual perception and composition. The painting entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on display as an example of his religious genre work.

Artist & collection

Artist

Samuel van Hoogstraten

Samuel Dirksz van Hoogstraten (2 August 1627 in Dordrecht – 19 October 1678 in Dordrecht) was a Dutch Golden Age painter, who was also a poet and author on art theory.