Fotoreproductie van een prent, voorstellende Satan op zijn troon in Pandemonium before 1876

This photogravure reproduction depicts Satan on his throne in Pandemonium. Though the artist is anonymous, the image speaks volumes about 19th-century attitudes towards religion, power, and societal rebellion. Produced in a time of vast social change in Europe, where traditional religious and political structures were being questioned, images like this one offered a visual representation of dissent. The figure of Satan, often seen as a symbol of defiance against divine authority, would resonate with those who felt alienated by the established order. The artist may well have drawn on the writings of John Milton, whose work frequently served as a basis for the visual arts. To truly understand this artwork, one might delve into religious history, as well as the art criticism of the time. By exploring these resources, we can uncover the complex interplay between art, society, and individual expression.