L'ascension 1822 - 1885

This is Joel Ballin’s “L’ascension,” a monochromatic work whose dimensions are 257 by 181 millimeters. The artwork has two distinct registers separated by a horizontal line. In the upper register, the artist positions two figures—an angel and a man using a lorgnette—against a cosmic backdrop with celestial orbs. The soft tonal gradations create a sense of ethereal depth. The artist pays close attention to how light reflects off their forms. Below, we see a chaotic scene of destruction, the stark contrast creating drama. What could this mean? Ballin uses this clear compositional structure to create a visual metaphor. The upper scene suggests enlightenment and observation, while the lower one portrays earthly turmoil. The work may comment on humanity’s attempt to understand its place in the cosmos amid the chaos of earthly existence. The formal qualities of the work invite us to contemplate the relationship between knowledge, destruction, and the cosmos.