1551
oil
panel
From the collection of Brooklyn Museum
The Last Judgment is a 1551 oil by Pieter Pourbus, a Early Baroque Italian work, held at Brooklyn Museum.
The painting depicts a chaotic scene with numerous nude figures in various poses. Some are standing, while others are seated or lying down. The central figure is a man with a red cloth draped around his waist, surrounded by a halo of light. He appears to be in motion, with his arms outstretched and his legs bent. The background is a swirling mix of colors, with shades of red, orange, and yellow dominating the palette. A notable detail is the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that creates strong contrasts between light and dark areas. This adds depth and dimensionality to the painting, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figure. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up the technique of chiaroscuro.
Pieter Jansz. Pourbus (c. 1523–1584) was a Flemish Renaissance painter, draftsman, engineer and cartographer who was active in Bruges during the 16th century. He is known primarily for his religious and portrait paintings.
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