Who painted The Fall of the Rebel Angels?

The Fall of the Rebel Angels was painted by Jacopo Palma il Giovane in 1585.

Where can I see The Fall of the Rebel Angels?

The Fall of the Rebel Angels is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Fall of the Rebel Angels?

The Fall of the Rebel Angels is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Fall of the Rebel Angels

Jacopo Palma il Giovane , 1585

The Fall of the Rebel Angels is a gouache drawing by the Renaissance artist Jacopo Palma il Giovane. It dates from 1585 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created around 1585 by the Venetian artist Palma il Giovane, this drawing portrays a tumultuous descent of celestial beings.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1585 by the Venetian artist Palma il Giovane, this drawing portrays a tumultuous descent of celestial beings. Executed with pen and brown ink, enhanced by a brown wash and selective touches of white gouache, the work resides in the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates a dramatic episode in which angels, cast from heaven, tumble through the air. Central figures are caught mid‑fall, their limbs extended, evoking the conflict between divine order and rebellion, a visual allegory of the struggle between good and evil.

Technique & Style

Palma il Giovane employed a layered approach: initial sketches in black chalk, overlaid with confident pen lines, then enriched with a brown wash that deepens the atmosphere. Sparse applications of white gouache highlight luminous areas, while the ink’s bold strokes convey kinetic energy typical of late‑Renaissance drawing.

History & Provenance

The drawing has been part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection since its acquisition, though earlier ownership records are limited. Its attribution to Palma il Giovane aligns with his known practice of combining drawing and painting techniques in narrative works of the late sixteenth century.

Context

Produced during the late Renaissance, the piece reflects the period’s fascination with dramatic biblical and mythological subjects. Palma il Giovane, a successor to Tintoretto, often revisited themes of celestial battles, integrating vigorous line work with atmospheric washes to heighten emotional impact.