The Last Judgment

Joos van Cleve

ca. 1525–30 · Oil on wood · European Paintings

This majestic scene is divided into heavenly and earthly zones, which are linked by two hovering angels blowing trumpets. Christ appears at the moment of judgment in a burst of light and color, surrounded by clouds and putti and flanked by the apostles. He blesses the saved, shown at lower left, while Saint Michael shepherds the damned into hell burning in the distance at the right. The nudes in the foreground reflect the artist’s study of prints after Raphael’s designs, and the figure of Christ seems to be inspired by the famous ancient sculpture of the Laocoön.

Artist

Joos van Cleve

Date

ca. 1525–30

Medium

Oil on wood

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Graham F. Blandy, 1940