New photography by Ed Pollard captured with a digital camera-2008.

God's Judgment Upon Gog

Artist Asher Brown Durand (American, 1796-1886)

Dateca. 1851-1852

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions60 3/4 x 50 1/2 in. (154.3 x 128.3 cm)
Overall, Frame: 70 1/4 x 60 1/2 in. (178.4 x 153.7 cm)

ClassificationsAmerican art

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.499

Terms

Religion
Old Testament
Birds
Animals
Landscape
Mountains
Gray
Blue
White
Red
Black
Brown
Hudson River School
Pastoral
Religious
New York

Collections

American Art before 1945

On View

On view

DescriptionThis oil on canvas painting was inspired by the Old Testament wherein Ezekiel foretells God's destruction of Gog, the infidel prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. In the painting, Ezekiel, standing on the lower left promontory, calls forth at God's command predatory birds and wild beasts to devour Gog's troops. The troops fill the valley; the birds sweep down from the sky and the wild beasts, seen in the foreground, approach the troops.

Label TextAsher B. Durand American, 1796—1886 God’s Judgment Upon Gog, ca. 1851-52 Oil on canvas In the shadows at the bottom of this valley, birds and wild beasts devour the army of Gog, the evil prince. The Hebrew Bible prophet Ezekiel stands above on a rocky pulpit and calls forth a divine vengeance. Asher B. Durand unleashes all of his skill as a landscape painter to depict this violent scene, using a storm and jagged mountains to reinforce the mood. Durand became best known for his depictions of lush New England scenery. However, like many other American landscape painters, he remained deeply interested in the way that landscape could express grand themes and lofty ideals. Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.499