The Master of 1518 (Antwerp c. 1470-c. 1527)

This unusual scene takes as its subject the biblical episode of Daniel and Habakkuk (Daniel 14:33-36). As Daniel relates, the prophet Habakkuk had made a stew that he intended to take to reapers working in the fields. However, the angel of the Lord instructed Habakkuk to take the food instead to Daniel, who was in the lions' den in Babylon. Habakkuk confessed never having been to Babylon and that he did not know about the den, whereupon the angel took him by the crown of his head and carried him there by his hair.

Infrared reflectography of the painting reveals free and extensive underdrawing entirely characteristic of the work of The Master of 1518.

We are grateful to Peter van den Brink for confirming the attribution to the Master of 1518.