Henry Fuseli

Death and Sin bridging the 'Waste' of chaos and met by Satan on his return from Earth

Death and Sin bridging the 'Waste' of chaos and met by Satan on his return from Earth by Henry Fuseli

Artwork Detail

Sin and Death, sensing the success of their father, Satan, decide to build a bridge to Earth where they will now dwell. Satan, however, is turned into a serpent on his return from Paradise. Whereas the earlier scene shows Satan leaving the gates of hell in a great upward surge, with Sin and Death in the foreground, here they crouch together as if straining to pull Satan down towards them. His body suggests an ephemeral lightness, which can only be captured by Death and Sin’s strenuous efforts.

Title
Death and Sin bridging the 'Waste' of chaos and met by Satan on his return from Earth
Artist/creator
Henry Fuseli
Production date
circa 1819-circa 1821
Medium
pencil, pen and watercolour
Dimensions
393 x 315 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 1965
Accession no
1965/64
Copyright
No known copyright restrictions
Department
International Art
Display status
Not on display

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