John Martin was a controversial but key figure in 19th Century art. He is visionary, eccentric, populist and epic. Like what shown in the size of his canvases, this wildly dramatic artist with his vision of heaven and hell was larger than life.
This exhibition presents a spectacular vision of his, capturing the full drama of his imagination. Much of Martin’s work is ghastly, but the exhibition is still packed with highlights, the ridiculously melodramatic Belshazzar’s Feast; the terrifying power of The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum; the mezzotint prints for Milton’s Paradise Lost; the devastatingly brilliant final triptych. His works gives a huge impact like a tsunami that’s going to hit one but my gosh the exhibition was repetitive. Rooms after room are filled with never ending succession of cliffs, forests, mountains, ancient cities, mythological figures, waterfalls and lighting.
There is something about his style I cannot really understand. His painting style is realistic but the subjects are over the top and the over contrast color he use gives a very dreamy effect whilst still holding on its dramatic and scoundrel atmosphere. The artist uses bold primary colors to emphasize the atmosphere but also the subject of his work.
I adore his paintings. The artist himself was a phenomenon in his own right as he had no formal training. Yet he is one of the greatest artists in the 19th century. Darkness dawns. Global meltdown. Rocks burst like boiling hot lava. Nobody did the apocalypse as well or as frequently as John Martin.
If you are in London see this exhibtion before it ends at Tate Britain.
Have a great weekend
xoxo
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