1558
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Last Judgment is a 1558 ink by Pieter van der Heyden, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This crowded scene shows a chaotic mix of people rising from the ground. Some float upward toward a bearded figure holding a cross, while others sink into a fiery pit below. Angels blow trumpets, and demons drag figures down. The sky is packed with swirling clouds and tiny, struggling souls. The tiny text at the bottom is a Latin warning: *"Come, blessed, to eternal kingdom. Go, cursed, to eternal fire."* It’s a classic way to show heaven and hell in one picture. Want to see more like this? Try engraving to learn how artists carved these detailed lines.
Pieter van der Heyden (c. 1530 - after March 1572) was a Flemish printmaker who is known for his reproductive engravings after works by leading Flemish painters and designers of the 16th century.
See the richer artist page
