‘The Feast of Balthazar’, Frans FRANKEN II and workshop, 17th c.

Large oil on oak panel (105 x 72 cm), portraying ‘The Feast of Balthazar’.
Attributed to Frans Franken II and his workshop.
The workshops of Antwerp spread throughout Europe, producing small and medium-sized paintings illustrating religious, historical or mythological scenes.
King Balthazar of Babylon uses the golden dishes of the Great Temple of Jerusalem, looted by his father Nabuchodonosor, to give a feast.
He dies shortly afterwards, as the divine hand emerges from the wall hanging at the top in the middle, as if to announce it.
Good general condition, some chips at the top, easily reparable.