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The Writing on the Wall at Belshazzar's Feast

Unknown and Jansen Enikelabout 1400–1410

The J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum
Los Angeles, United States

In this miniature inspired by a Biblical story, King Belshazzar dines at a magnificent feast to celebrate his successful looting of the Temple at Jerusalem. While dining, a disembodied hand begins to write mysterious characters on the wall. The king finds that only the prophet Daniel can interpret the signs: the king will die for his act of sacrilege. This story explains the origins of a phrase we still use today: "read the writing on the wall."

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  • Title: The Writing on the Wall at Belshazzar's Feast
  • Creator: Unknown, Jansen Enikel
  • Date Created: about 1400–1410
  • Location Created: Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
  • Physical Dimensions: Leaf: 33.5 × 23.5 cm (13 3/16 × 9 1/4 in.)
  • Type: Folio
  • External Link: Find out more about this object on the Museum website.
  • Medium: Tempera colors, gold, silver paint, and ink on parchment
  • Terms of Use: Open Content
  • Number: 88.MP.70.214v
  • Culture: German
  • Credit Line: The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms. 33, fol. 214v
  • Creator Display Name: Unknown Jansen Enikel
  • Classification: Manuscripts (Documents)
The J. Paul Getty Museum

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