The Marriage at Cana

Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen (c. 1503–1559), Mechelen or Brussels, c. 1530–1532, oil on panel

In this night scene – a novelty in painting at the time – Vermeyen succeeded in creating a dramatic effect. Candlelight plays over the faces and casts dark shadows. For the flames, Vermeyen used gold leaf. He was well ahead of his time: only around 1600 did the nocturn as a genre become more widely known through the Italian artist Caravaggio.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-4820
  • Dimensionsheight 66.5 cm x width 85 cm