Circle of Frans Francken II (1581-1642)

Belshazzar's Feast

細節

Circle of Frans Francken II (1581-1642)
Belshazzar's Feast
inscribed upper left MANE THEGEL PHARES (sic!)
oil on copper
22.5 x 16.6 cm
in a Dutch 17th Century ebonised frame

來源

with Keller & Reiner, Berlin, inv. no4221 (label on the reverse of the backing)

拍品專文

The subject is taken from Daniel V:1-6, where is related how King Belshazzar held an exuberant banquet, drinking from gold and silver vessels, when suddenly a hand appeared from above and wrote on the wall "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN". Terrified, King Belshazzar ordered his wise men to explain this text to hem. It was Daniel who told him that this was God's message, which foretold the fall of the Babylonian Kingdom and the Death of Belshazzar. Indeed Belshazzar died that same night.