Artwork
All Hell Let Loose
All Hell Let Loose is a print by Eileen Cooper. It dates from 1990 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Eileen Cooper’s 1990 colour print titled All Hell Let Loose presents two stylised nude figures that appear to be moving quickly beneath water. The image is rendered in a simplified manner, emphasizing the sense of motion and the fluid environment that surrounds the bodies.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts the figures in a state of submerged motion, suggesting themes of struggle and chaos suggested by the title. By placing the figures underwater, Cooper evokes a feeling of resistance and the difficulty of navigating an uncertain, turbulent space.
Technique & Style
Cooper employs bold, rough lines and strong contrasts of colour to heighten the dramatic impact. The simplified forms and limited palette focus attention on the kinetic energy of the scene rather than on detailed anatomical representation.
Context
All Hell Let Loose belongs to a series of prints by Cooper that includes Stowaway, Stepping Out, The Lesson, Dawn Chorus and Taking Stock. The series collectively explores variations on movement, human form and the interplay between figure and environment.
History & Provenance
Created in 1990, the print has been held in public collections, notably the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is displayed alongside other works by Cooper that illustrate her practice in printmaking during the late twentieth century.
Artist & collection
Artist
British artist Eileen Cooper made bold prints and paintings full of lively figures and striking colors.
