Fall of the Damned

1642

Jonas Suyderhoff, after Sir Peter Paul Rubens

Associated Names
Jonas Suyderhoff

Artist, Dutch, c. 1613 - 1686

Sir Peter Paul Rubens

Artist After, Flemish, 1577 - 1640

This is a print depicting angels, humans, and beasts tangled together in a battle. At the top, winged angles are depicted soaring downward from the clouds, some holding long spears, arrows, or round shields. Below them, nude humans are entangled with creatures that have human bodies with the faces of animals, including pointed ears and horns. The faces of the humans are contorted in distress, with open mouths and wide eyes, while the creatures are smiling. Some of the people also appear to be wrapped in long ropes or snakes. The composition is tightly packed with muscular bodies, and billowing clouds frame the scene. At the bottom of the print are several lines of text.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    plate: 71 × 54.6 cm (27 15/16 × 21 1/2 in.)
    sheet: 74.5 × 56.6 cm (29 5/16 × 22 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.609

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 2, State i/iii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(David Tunick, Inc., New York); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased December 16, 1977; Gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger: no. 2, i/iii

Inscriptions

below image: Superbiae ergò depulsi et caelis Luciferi, Vindicem Michaelem, Constantino Hugens, Equiti Toparchae Zuijlechemij, Principis Auriaci Senatori, et / à secretis, illustrium ingeniorum Patrono, Musarum Apollini Dedicat. Seseque ejus clarissimo Nomini L. M. Q. devovet Petrus Soutman. Cum Priuil.; below image, at left: P. Paul Rubens Pinxit; below image, at right: I. Suyderhoef sculp. Ao. 1642.

Markings

none

Wikidata ID

Q76557321

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