The Feast of the Gods painting by Jan van Bijlert

The Feast of the Gods is an enchanting painting by the Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert, a member of the Utrecht Caravaggisti, a group of painters who were influenced by the dramatic style of Caravaggio. Painted in the 17th century, this work reflects Bijlert’s mastery of light, color, and composition, drawing inspiration from both Caravaggesque techniques and the Dutch Golden Age's fascination with classical mythology. In The Feast of the Gods, Bijlert presents a dynamic and sensuous depiction of a gathering of ancient deities, encapsulating the revelry, beauty, and mystery that such mythological scenes were intended to evoke. Jan van Bijlert (1597/98–1671) was born in Utrecht, and his artistic style was shaped by his travels and education. He trained under Abraham Bloemaert, one of Utrecht's leading painters, and later traveled to Italy, where he encountered the works of Caravaggio and the Roman Baroque style, which heavily influenced his approach to light and shadow. Bijlert, along with other Utrecht artists, began to incorporate Caravaggio’s bold contrasts and realism into their works, giving rise to the distinct Utrecht Caravaggisti style, which fused Dutch naturalism with Italian dramatic lighting. Mythological subjects like The Feast of the Gods became particularly popular during the Dutch Golden Age. At a time when humanism and classical learning were held in high regard, patrons commissioned paintings that depicted ancient gods and legends. These mythological scenes allowed artists to explore themes of sensuality, power, and human nature while demonstrating their skill in portraying anatomy, fabric, and expressions. By focusing on the gods’ feast, Bijlert’s painting offered a glimpse into an imagined world of beauty and indulgence, a retreat from the religious and political tensions of the time.

The Feast of the Gods captures a banquet of the gods, a scene commonly inspired by classical mythology, where divine beings gather to celebrate, indulge, and revel in each other’s company. Though each deity is not always identifiable, Bijlert includes key figures from the Greco-Roman pantheon, likely including Jupiter, Juno, Venus, Mars, Bacchus, and Mercury, all seated around a banquet table laden with food and drink. By arranging the figures in various postures, some leaning toward each other, others reclining, Bijlert creates a sense of movement and interaction, as if each god has their own unique role in this celestial gathering. The gods are presented with a distinct realism that humanizes them while preserving their divine beauty. Bijlert’s attention to detail is evident in the soft rendering of their skin, the intricate folds of their garments, and the rich textures of the fruits and wine vessels on the table. The viewer is invited to imagine the gods as both idealized and flawed, as beings of grandeur but also susceptible to indulgence, jealousy, and passion. One of the most striking aspects of The Feast of the Gods is Bijlert’s use of chiaroscuro—a technique that emphasizes the contrast between light and dark. Drawing on Caravaggio’s influence, Bijlert uses light to highlight the gods’ faces and bodies, creating a sense of drama that lends a theatrical quality to the scene. The warm light focuses on the figures’ skin, illuminating their expressions and gestures while casting deep shadows in the background. This contrast draws attention to the gods’ emotions, lending them a realism that makes the mythological scene feel vivid and immediate. Bijlert’s color palette enhances the luxuriousness of the painting. Rich reds, blues, and golds adorn the gods’ garments, symbolizing their status and adding depth to the composition. These colors, combined with the soft glow of the lighting, create an atmosphere that is both opulent and intimate, as if the viewer has stumbled upon a private moment in the gods’ world. The placement of warm tones near the central figures draws the eye toward the heart of the painting, where the gods’ interactions unfold.

The Feast of the Gods is a celebration of abundance, sensuality, and divine indulgence. The lavish table and the gods’ relaxed postures convey a world where pleasure is paramount and the divine beings are free from mortal cares. At the same time, the painting subtly hints at the complexity of the gods’ relationships, with some deities exchanging intimate glances while others gaze off into the distance. This portrayal of the gods emphasizes both their unity and their individual personalities, underscoring the notion that even divine beings are bound by emotions, alliances, and rivalries. The food, drink, and sensual interaction are symbolic of the human pursuit of pleasure and the ephemeral nature of indulgence. In the context of the Dutch Golden Age, this theme may reflect contemporary views on luxury and morality. The Dutch public was experiencing unprecedented wealth, but the Calvinist culture simultaneously promoted restraint and modesty. Bijlert’s work might thus serve as both a celebration of abundance and a reminder of its transient, potentially corrupting influence.

Though Bijlert is less widely known today compared to other Dutch Golden Age painters, his work exemplifies the Utrecht Caravaggisti’s unique contribution to Dutch art. His ability to blend Caravaggio’s dramatic realism with the elegance and sensuality of classical themes made his works distinctive. The Feast of the Gods remains a testament to his skill in bringing mythological subjects to life with a style that bridges realism and idealism. As a member of the Utrecht Caravaggisti, Bijlert helped introduce new approaches to light and naturalism that influenced generations of Dutch artists. His mythological scenes provided a counterpoint to the more somber religious paintings of the time, showing that Dutch art could embrace both realism and the fantastical. Bijlert’s work on The Feast of the Gods highlights the Dutch Golden Age’s openness to diverse themes, combining admiration for classical antiquity with a distinctly Northern European perspective

Craig Payne is a University lecturer, runner, cynic, researcher, skeptic, forum admin, woo basher, clinician, rabble-rouser, blogger and a dad.