Artwork
The Deluge towards Its Close
The Deluge towards Its Close is an oil painting by the Romanticist artist Joshua Shaw|Washington Allston. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
This painting was made in 1813, when people still believed floods like Noah’s were real.
You see a dark, stormy sky pressing down on a flooded world—snakes slither over floating logs, bodies drift in the water, and a few desperate figures cling to a rock.
This painting was made in 1813, when people still believed floods like Noah’s were real. The snakes aren’t just there to scare; they’re a sign of nature turning against humans. The artist used thick, rough brushstrokes to make the scene feel wild and urgent.
If you like how the light fights through the storm, look up chiaroscuro.
Overview
Joshua Shaw's painting, The Deluge towards Its Close, created in 1813, presents a dramatic oil on canvas depiction of a world ravaged by a catastrophic flood. This early 19th-century work captures the somber aftermath of an overwhelming natural disaster, aligning with traditional Western interpretations of the biblical narrative. It is housed within the American Wing of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting vividly portrays a world submerged, with a dark, tempestuous sky looming over a landscape of destruction. Desperate figures cling to a solitary rock amidst the rising waters, while bodies and debris drift aimlessly. The presence of snakes slithering over logs suggests nature's hostility, reinforcing the somber theme of a world overwhelmed. This imagery resonates with the Western art tradition of illustrating the biblical account of the Great Flood.
Technique & Style
Shaw employed oil on canvas to render this scene with a palpable sense of urgency and chaos. His use of thick, rough brushstrokes contributes to the wild and untamed atmosphere of the flooded landscape and turbulent skies. The dramatic interplay of light and shadow, where illumination struggles to penetrate the storm's gloom, intensifies the painting's emotional impact, a characteristic often associated with chiaroscuro.
Context
Created in 1813, The Deluge towards Its Close emerged during a period when the literal truth of biblical narratives, such as Noah's Flood, remained widely accepted. Shaw's work thus tapped into a prevailing cultural understanding of divine judgment and natural catastrophe. Its dark and somber themes align with a long-standing Western artistic tradition of depicting the destructive power of the Great Flood.
History & Provenance
Upon its creation, The Deluge towards Its Close garnered recognition from contemporary artists. Notably, the esteemed painter Benjamin West, himself known for works addressing the biblical flood, expressed admiration for Shaw's interpretation. The painting has since become part of the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is displayed within the American Wing.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joshua Shaw|Washington Allston
Joshua Shaw started life as a British soldier before he swapped his uniform for a painter’s brush.
