Mar 1, 2025
Daniel Interpreting to Belshazzar the Writing on the Wall
Artist: Benjamin West (English, born America), 1738–1820
Date: 1775
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Description
This painting tells a dramatic biblical story from the 6th century BCE. Babylonian king Belshazzar, in blue robes, committed an act of sacrilege by using sacred Jewish vessels during a lavish feast. When mysterious writing appeared on the wall, the prophet Daniel, clad in brownish-red robes, interpreted the message to foretell the downfall of the king’s empire. Within hours, Belshazzar was dead.
#painting#biblical scene#prophet daniel#balshazzar#babylonian kingdom#feast#scrolls#curtains#male figures#book of daniel#biblical art#art and the bible#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#artwork#english culture#english art#benjamin west#english american painter#18th century painting#saint louis art museum
