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The Last Judgment

Joos van Cleve Netherlandish
ca. 1525–30
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 636
This majestic scene is divided into heavenly and earthly zones, which are linked by two hovering angels blowing trumpets. Christ appears at the moment of judgment in a burst of light and color, surrounded by clouds and putti and flanked by the apostles. He blesses the saved, shown at lower left, while Saint Michael shepherds the damned into hell burning in the distance at the right. The nudes in the foreground reflect the artist’s study of prints after Raphael’s designs, and the figure of Christ seems to be inspired by the famous ancient sculpture of the Laocoön.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Last Judgment
  • Artist: Joos van Cleve (Netherlandish, Cleve ca. 1485–1540/41 Antwerp)
  • Date: ca. 1525–30
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: 48 3/4 x 34 in. (123.8 x 86.4 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Graham F. Blandy, 1940
  • Object Number: 40.174.1
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Parade Trumpet, Copper, German
Parade Trumpet
German
ca. 1700
Virgin and Child, Joos van Cleve and a collaborator Netherlandish, Oil on wood
Virgin and Child
Joos van Cleve
ca. 1525
The Crucifixion with Saints and a Donor, Joos van Cleve and a collaborator Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Crucifixion with Saints and a Donor
Joos van Cleve
ca. 1520
The Holy Family, Joos van Cleve Netherlandish, Oil on oak panel, Netherlandish
The Holy Family
Joos van Cleve
possibly 1527–33
Francis I (1494–1547), King of France, Joos van Cleve Netherlandish, Oil on canvas, transferred from wood
Francis I (1494–1547), King of France
Joos van Cleve

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