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| BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST, after Gerald de Jode, circa 1640-60 |
£2800 |
A Charles II needlework picture of Belshazzar's Feast, - mid 17th century, worked in tent stitch with polychrome silks on canvas, depicting the feast, with writings on the wall 'Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin'.
This needlework depicts the story of the great feast of Belshazzar, from Daniel 5:1-31. Belshazzar died the very night of the feast after Daniel told him that he was 'weighed in the balances and found wanting'.
The image here is adapted from Gerard de Jode's compendium of illustrations for both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. A popular source of images used in needlework. It was engraved by or after members of the De Jode family, Crispin van den Broeck, Johann Sadeler, Maarten van Heemskerck, Maarten de Vos and others. The plate count for copies varies. It was published in Antwerp 1585
The scene has been portrayed in art by Rembrandt, in music by George Frideric Handel and Johnny Cash, and in poetry by Lord Byron and Emily Dickinson. It has also given us the common expressions 'the writing's on the wall' and ‘your days are numbered’, indicating a sure and soon danger.
In original glazed and parcel-gilt frame, 31 x 42cm overall.
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