The Last Judgment
The Met
Artist: Joos van Cleve(Netherlandish, Cleve ca. 1485–1540/41 Antwerp)
Date: ca. 1525–30
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on wood
Dimensions: 48 3/4 x 34 in. (123.8 x 86.4 cm)
Credit Line: Bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Graham F. Blandy, 1940
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A bare-chested male figure in red on clouds, with winged and robed figures, above a multitude
Detailed Description
The vertical painting depicts a multi-figure scene divided into an upper section and a lower section. In the upper center, a bare-chested male figure with long brown hair and a red drapery around his waist and over one shoulder stands on a cloud, arms outstretched, with a bright, glowing halo behind his head. Numerous small, winged figures surround him. To his left, a group of robed figures, including a man with a blue garment, are seated on clouds, facing the central figure. To his right, another group of robed figures also sits on clouds, oriented towards the central figure. Below the central figure, two larger winged figures are positioned on clouds. The winged figure on the left, dressed in purple and green, holds a long, golden, curved horn. The winged figure on the right, in yellow and brown robes, holds an open book. The lower half of the painting shows a green landscape populated by a large multitude of nude figures. In the mid-ground, two long lines of standing nude figures face each other, extending towards the horizon. Between these lines, a few smaller winged figures fly, some holding spears or trumpets. In the foreground, several nude and partially draped figures are scattered across the green ground. Some are kneeling, some are lying down, and others are in various contorted or reaching poses, with some reaching upwards or covering their faces. White drapery is loosely wrapped around the hips or shoulders of some of these foreground figures. The overall color palette includes blues and grays for the sky and clouds, vibrant reds and yellows for the drapery of the figures in the upper section, and earthy tones for the multitude.
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