Artist John Martin Medium oil on canvas | Year 1852 (1852) | |
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Dimensions 136.3 cm × 212.3 cm (53.7 in × 83.6 in) Location Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne | ||
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a painting by the English painter John Martin from 1852.
Contents
John Martin's painting, shows the biblical story of the destruction of the two cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which was God's punishment for the two cities for people's amoral behavior. Only Lot and his daughters were saved. Lot's wife ignored God's instruction not to look back, and was turned into a pillar of salt. The fiery red color is characteristic of John Martins dramatic scenes of destruction. The swirling storm in heaven was also a frequent feature of his paintings.
Description
It is 136.3 x 212.3 cm. in size. It is in the collection of the Laing Art Gallery.
Apocalyptic theme
Several other of Martin's paintings contain apocalyptic tendencies: the Fall of Babylon (1831), The Fall of Nineveh, Divine vengeance, Pandemonium (1841) and The Eve of the Deluge (1840).
Artist
Many regarded Martin while he lived as a great British artist, surpassed only by his older contemporary colleague J. M. W. Turner, who he had a competition with for recognition. But John Martin's reputation declined after his death.