The artwork titled “Satan Presiding at the Infernal Council” was created by John Martin in the year 1824. Executed in the medium of mezzotint, this piece is a notable example of the Romanticism art movement and belongs to the genre of religious painting.
The artwork depicts a dramatic and somber scene where Satan, the central figure, is shown in the act of presiding over an infernal council. Positioned prominently on a raised platform, Satan is gesturing with authority, which underscores his dominion in the infernal setting. The surrounding architecture suggests a grand, cavernous space filled with numerous onlookers, whose presence accentuates the gravity of the council. The chiaroscuro effect, typical of mezzotint, enhances the mood, casting an eerie and shadowy ambiance across the composition.