VISION OF A GREAT GULF ON PLANET HELL

Media - 1988.74.5 - SAAM-1988.74.5_1 - 10621
Copied Howard Finster, VISION OF A GREAT GULF ON PLANET HELL, 1980, enamel on plywood with painted frame, 35 3818 58 in. (9047.2 cm) panel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1988.74.5

Artwork Details

Title
VISION OF A GREAT GULF ON PLANET HELL
Date
1980
Dimensions
35 3818 58 in. (9047.2 cm) panel
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
enamel on plywood with painted frame
Classifications
Keywords
  • Fantasy — monster
  • Allegory — religion — hell
Object Number
1988.74.5

Artwork Description

Howard Finster covered his paintings with written descriptions and Bible quotes to help people understand their meanings. He made VISION OF A GREAT GULF to teach people about hell, because “if a man believed in Hell he would try to avoid going there.” The painting includes terrifying warnings about the underworld, suggesting that if we ignore the artist’s messages, we might join the people falling helplessly into the chasm of monsters. Finster filled every available space with scribbled text and bright colors to create an overwhelming image of the confusion of hell.

Audio