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Belshazzar's Feast

Name: Provenio Provenance Knowledge Graph
License: https://provenio.art/terms

Oil on canvas (c.1635–1638) by Rembrandt van Rijn, depicting the biblical scene of Belshazzar's terrified reaction to the divine writing on the wall. Held at the National Gallery, London.

Scholarly Significance

Rembrandt's monumental biblical history painting, notable for the Hebrew inscription and dramatic theatrical lighting.

Notes

·The Hebrew inscription ('MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN') was reportedly written in an unusual vertical-column format, advised by Rabbi Menasseh ben Israel, Rembrandt's Amsterdam neighbor.
·Rembrandt's largest single biblical figure composition.
·Purchased by the National Gallery in 1964 from the Duke of Westminster's collection.
·Source: Book of Daniel 5:1–30.