Artwork
Lot embriagado por sus hijas
Lot embriagado por sus hijas is an oil painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Luca Giordano. It dates from 1698 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
By focusing on intoxication and the daughters’ agency, the painting underscores themes of deception and the irreversible consequences of their actions.
The painting depicts the biblical story of Lot and his daughters, drawn from Genesis 19:30–38. After fleeing Sodom, Lot’s daughters believe they are the last people on earth and, to preserve his lineage, they intoxicate their father and conceive children by him. Giordano’s composition centers on the moment of intoxication and the daughters’ actions, emphasizing the moral transgression and its consequences.
The scene is rendered with dramatic chiaroscuro and dynamic poses, heightening the tension between familial duty and forbidden desire.
The work functions as a moralizing allegory, warning against the dangers of drunkenness and the corruption of familial bonds. By focusing on intoxication and the daughters’ agency, the painting underscores themes of deception and the irreversible consequences of their actions.
Technique & Style
Lot embriagado por sus hijas is an oil painting executed on a canvas support by Luca Giordano in 1694. The work measures 58 cm in height and 154 cm in width, presenting a composition that depicts Lot and his daughters alongside wine. As an oil painting from the late 17th century, the piece relies on the traditional handling of pigments on a woven textile ground, characteristic of Giordano's output during this period.
History & Provenance
Luca Giordano created the oil-on-canvas painting Lot embriagado por sus hijas in 1694. The work measures 58 cm in height and 154 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the Spanish monarch Ferdinand VII of Spain was the owner of this piece. It is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
The painting Lot embriagado por sus hijas by Luca Giordano is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Created in 1694, the work was historically owned by Ferdinand VII of Spain before entering the museum's holdings. The piece is executed in oil on canvas and depicts the biblical subject of Lot and his daughters.
While the work is part of the permanent collection of the Museo del Prado, specific inventory numbers and a detailed history of temporary exhibitions are not provided in the available records.
Overview
Luca Giordano's 1698 oil painting, 'Lot embriagado por sus hijas', is a dramatic depiction of a biblical scene. The work features three central figures set against a somber backdrop, characterized by vivid coloring and intense atmosphere.
Context
This work reflects Giordano's interpretation of a well-known biblical story, likely appealing to the religious and moral themes prevalent in 17th-century European art patronage.
Legacy
As part of the Prado's holdings, 'Lot embriagado por sus hijas' contributes to the museum's collection of Baroque art, offering insights into Giordano's style within the broader context of European painting traditions.
Artist & collection
Artist
Luca Giordano was an Italian late-Baroque painter and printmaker in etching. Giordano was one of the most celebrated artists of the Neapolitan Baroque, whose vast output included altarpieces, mythological paintings and…
