The biblical figure in Rembrandt’s 1635 painting Belshazzar’s Feast is Belshazzar.
The painting illustrates the dramatic moment from the Book of Daniel when King Belshazzar holds a feast using vessels taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. A mysterious hand writes words on the wall, terrifying the king and his guests. Daniel later interprets the writing as a warning of the kingdom’s impending fall.
Rembrandt presents the writing at a strong diagonal, making the supernatural message the visual focus. The rich fabrics, jewels, and startled expressions heighten the contrast between royal luxury and sudden judgment.
The work is in the National Gallery in London. Belshazzar is sometimes confused with Nebuchadnezzar, another Babylonian king who appears elsewhere in the Book of Daniel. They are separate figures, and Rembrandt’s title identifies the ruler at this particular feast as Belshazzar.