Loading

Eve's dream - Satan aroused (from John Milton's Paradise Lost)

John Martin1823-1827

Te Papa

Te Papa
Wellington, New Zealand

This print by John Martin (1789-1854) is a good example of the Romantic 'Sublime', art that impacts on emotions and fears. Martin pursued these aims both in panoramic paintings and on a smaller scale in these illustrations to John Milton's classic epic poem, <em>Paradise Lost</em>. He was passionate about technological experimentation and identified with the aspirations of the Industrial Revolution. Consistent with this, he explored as seen here new mezzotint techniques, using soft steel rather than copper.

The 24 mezzotints that Martin produced for <em>Paradise Lost </em>were an instant commercial and critical success, and have remained classics in the medium ever since. They were marketed as having 'all the spirit and finish of the Painter's touch'.

In the episode depicted here (book 4, line 813), Ithuriel and Zephon, the two angels on the left, discovered Satan disguised as a toad, whispering evil thoughts to Eve whilst she lay sleeping. At the touch of Ithuriel’s spear, Satan is transformed into his natural shape.

See:

Art Gallery of New South Wales, 'Eve's drem - Satan aroused', https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/417.2009/

Dr Mark Stocker   Curator, Historical International Art   December 2018

Show lessRead more
  • Title: Eve's dream - Satan aroused (from John Milton's Paradise Lost)
  • Creator: John Martin (artist)
  • Date Created: 1823-1827
  • Location: England
  • Provenance: Purchased 2014
  • Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions
  • External Link: Te Papa Collections Online
  • Medium: mezzotint with etching on paper
  • Support: paper
  • Registration ID: 2014-0028-1
Te Papa

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Interested in Visual arts?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites