Absalom's Feast 1659

"Absalom's Feast" (1659), by Italian Baroque painter Mattia Preti, depicts a scene from the biblical story of King David's son Absalom. The painting portrays the celebratory feast that Absalom hosts in honor of his father, while simultaneously plotting against him. The dramatic composition, characterized by a crowded space and theatrical gestures, creates a sense of tension and foreshadows the tragic outcome of Absalom's rebellion. Preti's masterful use of chiaroscuro, with contrasting light and shadow, illuminates key figures and adds further drama to the scene.