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The Destroying Angel, 1889

  • etching, paper
  • 112 x 152 mm
  • Inv. 1998-B-77

Public Domain

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Ensor repeatedly depicted the downfall of the world in paintings, drawings and prints. "The Destroying Angel" may have been inspired by the caricature 'The Czar', which appeared in the magazine Egalité on 6 October 1886. The galloping figure in the centre of the picture plane can hardly be considered a real angel, and is more reminiscent of the Germanic Walküren. The story goes back to a passage from the Book of Revelation, which mentions a rider on a fiery-red horse, sword in hand, who is bringing disaster into the world.

Artist

James EnsorRKDVIAFWikidata
Ostend 1860 - Ostend 1949
etchersAAT

TitleThe Destroying Angel
Date 1889
Period19th century
Medium and supportetchingAAT
Signatures, inscriptions, and markings signatures (names) top right: Ensor
inscription on the reverse: AT
title on the reverse: L'ange exterminateur 1884
inscription on the reverse: 22 / 166
Collectionprint room
Object type etching AAT
Inventory number1998-B-77
Acquisition credit purchase
Taevernier, Auguste (coll.)
1998
Current whereaboutsWork currently not on display
Permalinkhttps://mskgent.be/collection/work/data/1998-B-77
IIIF Manifesthttps://imagehub.mskgent.be/iiif/3/4103/manifest.json