Satan at the Abode of Chaos and Old Night
File Type:
JPEG imageItem Type:
ImageDate:
1983Citation:
William L. Pressly, 'James Barry: Artist as Hero', London: The Tate Gallery, 1983. 110-1, no 53.Download Item:
Publisher:
Royal Society of Arts (Great Britain)Description:
Although Jonathan Richardson had recommended this subject as an excellent one for a picture as early as 1734 in his book 'Explanatory Notes and Remarks on Milton's 'Paradise Lost'', Henry Fuseli was apparently the first to depict it in a drawing of 1781-2. He was followed by Thomas Freeman, who exhibited a canvas entitled 'Satan Departing from the Court of Chaos' at the Royal Academy in 1784. At about the same time William Blake executed a drawing of Satan approaching the Court of Chaos. It is instructive to compare Barry's and Fuseli's interpretations of this same scene. Both employ a low point of view, but Barry avoids the extravagance of Fuseli's constricted poses, exaggerated expressions, and expansive, dynamic setting, relying instead on an adventurous use of a close-up focus and abrupt foreshortening to supply the dramatic tension.' (Pressly, 110-1)Role:
artistCulture:
IrishDimensions/Extent:
56 cm x 40 cmWork:
drawingRole:
artistPublisher:
Royal Society of Arts (Great Britain)Type of material:
ImageAvailability:
Full text availableKeywords:
Old NightPeriod:
18th centuryMetadata
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