Howard Finster, VISION OF A GREAT GULF ON PLANET HELL, 1980, enamel on plywood with painted frame, 35 3⁄8 x 18 5⁄8 in. (90 x 47.2 cm) panel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1988.74.5
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Artwork Details
- Title
- VISION OF A GREAT GULF ON PLANET HELL
- Artist
- Date
- 1980
- Location
- Dimensions
- 35 3⁄8 x 18 5⁄8 in. (90 x 47.2 cm) panel
- Credit Line
- Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- enamel on plywood with painted frame
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Allegory — religion — hell
- Fantasy — monster
- 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.
Works by this artist (625 items)
Audio
Stop 120: VISION OF A GREAT GULF ON PLANET HELL
VISION OF A GREAT GULF ON PLANET HELL
1988, fired micaceous clay with piñon pitch
HOWARD FINSTER
Born: Valley Head, Alabama 1916–Died: Rome, Georgia 2001
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