Artwork
Satan Defying the Powers of Heaven
Satan Defying the Powers of Heaven is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Henry Fuseli. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Satan Defying the Powers of Heaven is a drawing by Henry Fuseli, created around 1794. It depicts a dramatic scene in a dark, smudgy sky.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing shows a muscular male figure suspended in mid-air, straining against an unseen force. His twisted pose and raised arms convey a sense of intense struggle.
Technique & Style
Fuseli used graphite, black chalk, and gray wash to create the drawing, employing quick, sketchy lines and leaving some areas unfinished. This gives the work a raw, urgent feel.
Context
The drawing is associated with the Romanticism movement, which emphasized intense emotions and dramatic subjects.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Fuseli was a Swiss painter, draughtsman, and writer on art who spent much of his career in Britain.
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Satan Defying the Powers of Heaven