The Destroying Angel and Daemons of Evil Interrupting the Orgies of the Vicious and Intemperate

The Destroying Angel and Daemons of Evil: A Masterpiece of Controversy

Imagine a painting that not only captures the essence of classical beauty but also delves into the depths of human fear and despair. The Destroying Angel and Daemons of Evil Interrupting the Orgies of the Vicious and Intemperate, painted by William Etty in 1832, is such a work. This English oil painting on canvas tells a story that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

A Commissioned Masterpiece

Etty was commissioned to create this piece by Henry Payne for £60, but the final price soared to £130 when Etty completed it. The painting depicts a classical temple under attack from a destroying angel and daemons, with some humans dead or unconscious while others flee or struggle against the daemons.

Themes and Inspiration

The work is thought to have been inspired by John Milton and Alexander Pope, Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment, and the French Revolution. Etty’s The Destroying Angel is an ornate imaginary classical temple under attack from a destroying angel and a group of daemons who are abducting its human occupants.

A Critique of Society

When we look at the painting, we see an angel wreathed in smoke, poised to hurl a thunderbolt, while the daemons attack a group of around 25 semi-naked human figures. Each figure expresses terror differently and is painted in paler tones than typical Etty works. To the right, daemons drag terrified women away, with one woman turning to see flames reflected in the eyes of her daemon.

Behind these scenes are a lunatic chained to his bonds, an unconscious or dead gambler, and figures who have just realized what’s happening. The painting also features corpses in various states of undress and the structure of the temple crumbles behind them. Critics praised Etty’s interpretation of apocalyptic religious imagery, his ability to give distinct characters to individual demons and their victims, and the vividness of his imagination.

Changing Perceptions

The Morning Post admired Etty’s ability to convey creation through his paintings with a mix of fury and beauty. William Paulet Carey championed ‘The Destroying Angel,’ praising its balance between horror and beauty. Critics who had previously viewed Etty’s works as insights into his mind now saw him in a new light, and the painting was seen as a moral lesson.

Legacy and Influence

Despite some criticism, ‘The Destroying Angel’ changed how Etty was perceived by critics. The painting was often interpreted as a counterweight to Etty’s nude paintings, and some believed it represented his own repentance for previous works. Etty remained commercially successful, amassing £17,000 before his death.

His work enjoyed a brief boom in popularity after his death but declined over time. Etty’s influence on subsequent painters was limited, except for William Edward Frost, who owed a debt to ‘The Destroying Angel.’ Those who had imitated Etty soon abandoned the style, and Etty’s biographer Leonard Robinson noted that Richard Dadd’s fairy paintings may have been influenced by Etty without him being aware.

As we reflect on The Destroying Angel, it serves as a reminder that art can be both a mirror to society and a catalyst for change. It challenges us to confront our fears, question our actions, and seek redemption in the face of adversity.