Belshazzar's Feast 1820

John Martin created this vast scene of Belshazzar's Feast using oil paint, a traditional medium since the Renaissance. But here, it’s pushed to dramatic extremes. Notice the incredible amount of detail throughout the composition, achieved through countless brushstrokes that build up the architectural features and panicking crowds. The labor involved in this single painting is immense. The architecture is rendered as if made from stone blocks fitted together, each column and arch requiring time and precision. Consider the sheer scale, a testament to the artist's ambition to create a spectacle on canvas. The architectural elements and multitude of figures combine craft traditions with fine art, and reflect the social and political concerns of the time. The painting confronts notions of labor, opulence, and divine retribution. Ultimately, understanding the material and making of "Belshazzar's Feast" provides deeper insight into its cultural significance, challenging any clear distinctions between art and craft.