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Michael Sweerts, 'Feeding the Hungry', 1646 - 1649

Key facts
Full title Feeding the Hungry
Artist Michael Sweerts
Artist dates 1618-1664
Date made 1646 - 1649
Medium and support Oil on canvas
Dimensions 75 × 99 cm
Acquisition credit On loan from the Rijksmuseum. Purchased with the support of the Commissie voor Fotoverkoop
Inventory number L1320
Location Room 24
Image copyright On loan from the Rijksmuseum. Purchased with the support of the Commissie voor Fotoverkoop, © Loan from the Rijksmuseum
Collection Main Collection
Feeding the Hungry
Michael Sweerts
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At the steps of a church, hungry people are being fed. At the centre stands a beggar making direct eye contact with the viewer. Painted in Rome, the work belongs to a series depicting the Seven Works of Mercy, the guiding principle for compassionate deeds inspired by the teachings of Christ, as outlined in the Gospel of Matthew. For another painting by Sweerts belonging to the same series, see Refreshing the Thirsty (L1321).

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More paintings by Michael Sweerts

Refreshing the Thirsty
Refreshing the Thirsty
Michael Sweerts
This painting belongs to a series depicting the Seven Works of Mercy that Sweerts painted during his stay in Rome. The central figure is a bald pilgrim poised to drink from a bowl. Sweerts shows the fundamental Christian charitable act of quenching the thirst of others, set amidst the vibrant bac...
Room 24