Vision from Book of Revelation

Rev. McKendree Robbins Long, Sr., Vision from Book of Revelation, 1966, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1989.19
Copied Rev. McKendree Robbins Long, Sr., Vision from Book of Revelation, 1966, oil on canvas, 44 1⁄8 x 52 in. (112.1 x 132.1 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1989.19

Artwork Details

Title
Vision from Book of Revelation
Artist
Date
1966
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
44 1⁄8 x 52 in. (112.1 x 132.1 cm.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape — bird’s eye view
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
  • Religion — New Testament — Last Judgment
  • Religion — angel
  • Religion — Satan
Object Number
1989.19
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1989.19

Artwork Description

Reverend McKendree Robbins Long created many paintings based on the book of Revelation, combining imagery from different chapters to tell the story as he saw it. This piece shows Long's vision of Armageddon, with the city of Jerusalem under threat from masses of soldiers, aircraft, and missiles. Satan watches from the clouds, while seven trumpets pour "hail and fire, mixed with blood" onto the earth (8:7). Long painted the crowds of people poised and waiting for action, capturing the suspenseful moment before the inevitable chaos of the end of the world.