The artwork, titled “Hell at Last, Yawning, Received Them Whole,” is an illustration created by Gustave Doré. It is part of the “Paradise Lost” series and falls within the Romanticism art movement. The genre of the work is illustration.
The artwork depicts a dramatic and tumultuous scene with intense visual energy. A chasm or opening in the earth is depicted, through which a multitude of figures, appearing as fallen angels or spirits, are being drawn or cast downwards. The environment is filled with jagged rock formations and ominous clouds, emphasizing a sense of chaos and despair. The figures exhibit a variety of poses, many with wings and some with weapons or shields, suggesting a narrative of struggle or defeat. The upper portion of the artwork is illuminated by a burst of light, possibly symbolizing the last glimpse of the heavens or divine fury. The intricate details and dynamic composition capture the powerful and evocative essence of the scene, resonating deeply with the themes of John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”
