Fall of the Rebel Angels c. 1823 - 1824

Curator: The initial impression is quite dramatic, a sense of plummeting chaos emphasized by the stark contrast between light and shadow. Editor: Indeed. Let’s consider John Martin’s "Fall of the Rebel Angels," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The dimensions are roughly 68 by 48 centimeters. Curator: The composition is particularly striking. Note how Martin uses the vortex of light to not only draw the eye but also to create a sense of endless descent. Editor: The symbolic weight of this image is immense, isn't it? Fallen angels, eternal punishment… It speaks to a deep-seated fear of moral failure and divine retribution, doesn't it? Curator: Precisely. The use of chiaroscuro amplifies this emotional narrative, emphasizing the loss of grace. The figures, rendered almost as pale abstractions, become secondary to the overall form. Editor: For me, the swirling figures evoke a sense of collective trauma, and the black orb suggests a portal—a point of no return. Curator: A bleak but compelling vision. Editor: One that resonates still.