Scène uit toneelstuk Het feestmaal van Belsazar - Charles Rochussen

A nineteenth-century lithograph by Charles Rochussen depicting a dramatic scene from the biblical story of Belshazzar's feast.

This lithograph by Charles Rochussen depicts a dramatic moment from the biblical narrative of Belshazzar's feast. The composition centres on the Babylonian king, reclining in a position of authority while surrounded by attendants and guests. Rochussen employs a soft, atmospheric technique typical of nineteenth-century lithography, using varied tonal values to suggest the dim, candlelit interior of a royal hall. The figures are dressed in classical drapery, reflecting the period's fascination with historical and theatrical costume design.

To the left, a servant pours wine into a chalice held by the king, while other figures engage in the revelry of the banquet. A large basin in the foreground adds a sense of depth to the scene, grounding the figures within the space. The artist uses fine, hatched lines to build up the shadows and textures of the clothing and the surrounding architecture, creating a sense of movement and life within the static image. The text at the bottom identifies the work as the fifth scene of the play, indicating its origin as a visual record or promotional material for a theatrical production.

Rochussen was a prolific Dutch artist known for his historical subjects and illustrations. His ability to capture narrative tension is evident here, as he balances the opulence of the feast with the underlying sense of impending doom associated with the story of Belshazzar. The print, produced by the Amsterdam firm Dieperink & Co, demonstrates the technical skill involved in mid-nineteenth-century commercial printing. The soft focus and gentle shading provide a dreamlike quality to the scene, distancing the viewer from the harsh reality of the biblical account while maintaining the theatricality of the performance.