Peter Paul Rubens
(1577-1640)
The Fall of the Damned,
um 1621
Material / Technology / Carrier
Holz
Dimensions of the object
286 x 224 cm
Displayed
AP OG Saal VIII
Acquisition
1806 aus der Galerie Düsseldorf
Stock
Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen – Alte Pinakothek München
Citation
Peter Paul Rubens, Der Höllensturz der Verdammten, um 1621, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen – Alte Pinakothek München, URL: https://www.sammlung.pinakothek.de/en/artwork/7yxYmWNxYm (Last updated on 28.08.2023)
Unlike other depictions of the Last Judgement, Rubens concentrates soley here on the Fall and renders this in a monumental format. Horror and the inescapability of the event are captured in a masterly style. Sinners, devil-like figures, and demoniacal hybrid creatures are condensed to form a diagonal that turns into a swirling mass. It renders the powerful pull of Hell’s fire visible, as described in the Gospel of St. Matthew (25:41).
It does not require much fantasy to imagine the screams of horror coming from the damned and the infernal noise.
It does not require much fantasy to imagine the screams of horror coming from the damned and the infernal noise.
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