Michael Sweerts, 'Feeding the Hungry', 1646 - 1649
About the work
Overview
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).
Key facts
Details
- 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 27
- Image copyright
- On loan from the Rijksmuseum. Purchased with the support of the Commissie voor Fotoverkoop, © Loan from the Rijksmuseum
- Collection
- Main Collection
About this record
If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.