Artwork Inspired by the Book of Daniel

 Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's first dream, 1670s

Mattia Preti (Italian, 1613–1699)
 

²⁰“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
²¹ He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
²² He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
²³ I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
Daniel 2:20-23
 

Shadrach, Meschach, and Abdenego, 1863

Simeon Solomon (British, 1840–1905)

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18

Nebuchadnezzar, 1795 

William Blake (British, 1757-1827) 

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
³⁵ All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”
Daniel 4:34b-35

Belshazzar’s Feast, 1635-1638
Rembrandt (Dutch, 1606-1669)
 
²⁶ “Here is what these words mean:
Mene : God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
²⁷ Tekel : You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
²⁸ Peres : Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
Daniel 5:26-28

Daniel in Lions Den, 1892

Briton Rivière (British, 1840-1920)

Daniel's Answer to the King, 1892

Briton Rivière (British, 1840-1920)

21 “May the king live forever!  22My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

Daniel 6:21-22