Who painted Die Sünde, vom Tode verfolgt?

Die Sünde, vom Tode verfolgt was painted by Henry Fuseli in 1798.

Where can I see Die Sünde, vom Tode verfolgt?

Die Sünde, vom Tode verfolgt is held by Kunsthaus Zürich.

What movement is Die Sünde, vom Tode verfolgt?

Die Sünde, vom Tode verfolgt is associated with British Romanticism.

Artwork

Die Sünde, vom Tode verfolgt

Henry Fuseli , 1798

Die Sünde, vom Tode verfolgt is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Henry Fuseli. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.

About this work

Overview

The composition is dominated by stark contrasts and a claustrophobic atmosphere, characteristic of Fuseli’s interest in psychological and moral extremes.

Henry Fuseli completed this oil painting in 1798, titled Die Sünde, vom Tode verfolgt. It resides in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich. The work presents a solitary female figure in a moment of intense physical and emotional strain, rendered with heightened theatricality. The composition is dominated by stark contrasts and a claustrophobic atmosphere, characteristic of Fuseli’s interest in psychological and moral extremes.

Subject & Meaning

The figure represents Sin, pursued by Death, as suggested by the title. Bound by chains and caught mid-motion, she embodies the torment of moral transgression. Her contorted posture and anguished expression convey inner turmoil rather than physical injury. The absence of narrative context invites interpretation as an allegory of guilt, where the soul is trapped by its own transgressions, pursued by an unseen, inevitable force.

Technique & Style

Fuseli employs chiaroscuro to amplify the drama, isolating the figure against a near-black background with minimal ambient light. Bold, expressive brushwork defines the musculature and tension in her limbs, while the chains are rendered with sharp precision. The palette is restrained—dominated by pale flesh tones against deep shadows—enhancing the sense of isolation and psychological weight without relying on coloristic flourish.

History & Provenance

Painted in 1798, the work entered the Kunsthaus Zürich’s collection in the 19th century, likely through acquisition or bequest. Its provenance remains largely unbroken since its creation, with no record of public exhibition beyond institutional holdings. Fuseli produced several variations on moral and supernatural themes during this period, and this piece aligns with his broader exploration of human vulnerability under spiritual duress.

Context

Created during the late Enlightenment and early Romantic era, the painting reflects a cultural fascination with inner conflict, moral anxiety, and the sublime. Fuseli, influenced by Milton and Gothic literature, moved away from classical restraint toward emotional intensity. This work resonates with contemporaneous interest in allegory as a vehicle for psychological and ethical inquiry, particularly in Swiss and German-speaking artistic circles.

Legacy

Though less widely known than Fuseli’s The Nightmare, this painting exemplifies his consistent engagement with themes of sin, punishment, and the unseen forces shaping human fate. It influenced later Symbolist artists drawn to psychological allegory and dramatic lighting. Its endurance in Zürich’s collection underscores its role as a quiet but potent example of Romantic-era moral painting.