Penance 1647

"Penance" (1647) by Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665) depicts a biblical scene where the King of Moab, Balak, offers sacrifices to the god Baal in an attempt to curse the Israelites. Poussin's masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of drama and tension in the scene. The artwork is part of the Scottish National Gallery collection in Edinburgh, UK, and is a fine example of Baroque art. The detail of the figures and the lavish feast creates a vivid sense of the scene, inviting viewers to contemplate the story and its moral implications.