THER SHALL BE EARTH qUAKES

Howard Finster, THER SHALL BE EARTH qUAKES, 1976, enamel on fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1988.74.8
Howard Finster, THER SHALL BE EARTH qUAKES, 1976, enamel on fiberboard, 3029 58 in. (76.275.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1988.74.8

Artwork Details

Title
THER SHALL BE EARTH qUAKES
Date
1976
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
3029 58 in. (76.275.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
enamel on fiberboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Disaster — earthquake
  • Religion — Old Testament — prophet
Object Number
1988.74.8

Artwork Description

In 1976, after some four decades of preaching, Howard Finster responded to a vision in which God directed him to "paint sacred art." Finster believed that pictures would help people grasp the enormity of the Word of God. His painted sermons on life, death, salvation, and damnation eventually covered almost every inch of Paradise Garden, his four-acre art environment in Summerville, Georgia.

His concerns about a world of suffering and destruction drove Finster to create the artworks he called "signposts to salvation." In this triptych, he depicts trials encountered in the Bible's Book of Revelations, conveying his belief that no matter what problems loomed, God would protect and deliver the faithful.

Works by this artist (1036 items)

William H. Johnson, Ferry Boat Trip, ca. 1943-1944, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1011
Ferry Boat Trip
Dateca. 1943-1944
oil on paperboard
On view
William H. Johnson, For India and China, ca. 1944-1945, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.662
For India and China
Dateca. 1944-1945
oil on paperboard
On view
William H. Johnson, Self-Portrait, ca. 1923-1926, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.679
Self-Portrait
Dateca. 1923-1926
oil on canvas
On view
William H. Johnson, Mountain Blossoms, Volda, ca. 1936-1937, oil on burlap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.899
Mountain Blossoms, Volda
Dateca. 1936-1937
oil on burlap
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Joseph Hardin, Untitled (figure at Table, View of Legs), ca. 1978, colored pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.111
Untitled (figure at Table, View of Legs)
Dateca. 1978
colored pencil on paper
Not on view
William Zorach, (Untitled--Child's Head), 1925, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift from the collection of the Zorach children, 1976.145.8
(Untitled – Child’s Head)
Date1925
pencil on paper
Not on view
Michael Clark, Classic Series, 1970, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Fendrick, 1980.131.3
Classic Series
Date1970
pencil on paper
Not on view
Study for the Pushover
Date1981
pencil on paper
Not on view