How does Rembrandt capture a king’s downfall?

Through dramatic lighting, expressions, gestures and brushstrokes, Rembrandt conveys the chaos, fear and astonishment of this scene.  

‘You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting.’ These are the words written in Hebrew script in ‘Belshazzar’s Feast’, and in just a few short hours, Belshazzar, King of Babylon, will be dead. 

The writing is on the wall. Belshazzar has committed sacrilege, and the hand of God has shared judgement. Rembrandt evokes awe, for his incredible skill and the message of this cautionary story.