The Deluge
1840
oil
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
About the artist
1840
oil
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
The Deluge is a 1840 oil by William Etty, a British Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
The painting shows a scene of chaos with people and animals trying to escape rising water. This work is interesting because it's a study for a larger painting about the biblical Flood. Etty was known for his studies of the female nude, which sometimes got him into trouble for indecency. To learn more about the artist's use of dramatic lighting, look up the technique: glazing.
The Deluge is an oil painting that serves as a study for a larger work depicting the biblical Flood.
The scene is one of chaos, with humans and animals attempting to flee from rising waters, illustrating a moment of intense turmoil.
The painting showcases Etty's skill in capturing the human form, particularly the female nude, and employs dramatic lighting effects.
Etty's work often faced censorship due to its frank depiction of the human body, reflecting the societal tensions of his time.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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