The Ten Kings of Purgatory: King of the Five Offices of the Fourth Court
1800
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1800
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting shows a chaotic scene with lots of people in bright, bold colors. At the top, officials in blue and red robes stand on a raised platform, watching a group below. In the middle, a man in red kneels over a round table while others argue or cower around him. At the bottom, a muscular figure in blue lifts a heavy object, and a small dog runs near his feet. The background has a cloudy sky and a building with red roofs. The painting looks like it’s telling a story about punishment or justice, with different groups reacting to the central drama. The mix of colors—reds, blues, and greens—stands out against the faded greenish background. Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.