Jacob de Wit 1695 – 1754

The Baptism of the Chamberlain

oil on canvas (215 × 108 cm) — 1748 Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Jacob de Wit biography

This work is linked to Acts 8:35

The black man, a eunuch, is the chamberlain of the queen of Ethiopia. After a visit to Jerusalem he meets the apostle Philip, and asks him to explain a verse from Esaias (53:7). Philip joins the group, and starts preaching Jesus' gospel to the chamberlain.

Later on, when they reach a river, the chamberlain asks Philip to baptise him. That is the moment De Wit depicts.

The painting was made for the chimney of an Amsterdam canal house. As the original is rather dark, we've digitally adjusted the brightness of the photo.

Rate this work of art: