Who painted The Apocalypse: Four Angels Holding Back the Winds?

The Apocalypse: Four Angels Holding Back the Winds was painted by Jean Duvet in 1551.

Where can I see The Apocalypse: Four Angels Holding Back the Winds?

The Apocalypse: Four Angels Holding Back the Winds is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Apocalypse: Four Angels Holding Back the Winds?

The Apocalypse: Four Angels Holding Back the Winds is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Apocalypse: Four Angels Holding Back the Winds

Jean Duvet , 1551

The Apocalypse: Four Angels Holding Back the Winds is a print by the Renaissance artist Jean Duvet. It dates from 1551 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The engraving depicts four serene angels restraining the winds, which are rendered as small, blurred heads with open mouths.

About this work

Jean Duvet worked on these engravings for years, making them his biggest project.

This engraving shows four angels holding back the winds by their hair. The winds appear as small, blurry heads with open mouths. The angels hold scrolls and look calm despite the chaos around them.

It’s part of a rare 23-print set showing scenes from the Book of Revelation. Only seven complete sets survive today. Jean Duvet worked on these engravings for years, making them his biggest project.

If this grabs you, look up Jean Duvet (French, 1485–1561).

Overview

The engraving depicts four serene angels restraining the winds, which are rendered as small, blurred heads with open mouths. Each angel grasps a scroll and appears composed amid the surrounding turbulence, illustrating a moment from the biblical Apocalypse narrative.

Subject & Meaning

Taken from the Book of Revelation, the scene visualizes the episode in which four angels are commanded to hold back the four winds that would bring destruction. The calm demeanor of the figures underscores the theme of divine control over chaotic forces.

Technique & Style

Executed as an intaglio print, the work showcases Duvet’s densely packed composition and ornamental surface treatment. While the human forms display a solid modeling reminiscent of Italian High Renaissance influence, the overall arrangement favors intricate patterning over realistic spatial depth.

History & Provenance

Created by French printmaker Jean Duvet (c.1485–1561) as part of a 23‑plate series illustrating the Apocalypse, the set occupied the artist for several years and represents his most ambitious undertaking. The museum’s volume is one of only seven complete sets known to survive.

Context

Duvet, active mainly in the provincial town of Langres, was among France’s earliest major printmakers. His exposure to Italian art came through imported prints, especially those of Marcantonio Raimondi, which informed his figure modeling while he retained a uniquely artificial, decorative approach.