Who painted Lot Fleeing from Sodom?

Lot Fleeing from Sodom was painted by Benjamin West in 1810.

Where can I see Lot Fleeing from Sodom?

Lot Fleeing from Sodom is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

What movement is Lot Fleeing from Sodom?

Lot Fleeing from Sodom is associated with British Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Lot Fleeing from Sodom?

Museum-quality prints of Lot Fleeing from Sodom are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Lot Fleeing from Sodom

Benjamin West , 1810

Lot Fleeing from Sodom is an unspecified painting by the British Romanticist artist Benjamin West. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

About this work

Overview

Benjamin West’s 1810 canvas *Lot Fleeing from Sodom* presents a biblical evacuation rendered in the Romantic idiom of early‑19th‑century British art. Executed while West was established in London, the work belongs to his series of history paintings that dramatize pivotal moments from scripture and antiquity.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures the moment described in Genesis when Lot, his wife, and daughters escape the divine destruction of Sodom. Figures are shown sprinting away from a distant city consumed by fire, their faces illuminated by a sudden, heavenly light that suggests both divine warning and providential rescue.

Technique & Style

West employs a strong chiaroscuro, juxtaposing the bright, flickering flames against a storm‑laden sky to model the fleeing group in three‑dimensional relief. A palette of warm reds and oranges contrasts with cool blues and grays, while vigorous brushwork heightens the sense of movement and urgency.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it remains on view. West, an American expatriate who became president of the Royal Academy and official historical painter to the British court, produced the work during the height of his institutional influence.

Context

The piece reflects the Romantic fascination with dramatic, moralizing narratives drawn from scripture, aligning with contemporary tastes for emotionally charged, historically themed canvases. West’s choice of a biblical disaster underscores the era’s preoccupation with divine judgment and human vulnerability.