The World Before the Flood

The World Before the Flood: A Painting of Controversy and Beauty

Imagine a world where beauty and controversy intertwine, where the canvas becomes a stage for human desires and moral dilemmas. This is exactly what William Etty’s The World Before the Flood does. Painted in 1828, this oil-on-canvas masterpiece captures a scene from John Milton’s Paradise Lost, depicting the world just before the Great Flood. But it’s not just any flood; it’s a storm of emotions and desires that loom ominously over the characters.

A Dance of Desire: The Central Scene

The painting is a vivid portrayal of men selecting wives from dancing women, settling down to married life. In the center, a bare-breasted woman is grabbed by a man, while others dance and one couple lies down together on the right side of the canvas. A darkening sky with storm clouds looms in the background, symbolizing the impending doom that these characters seem blissfully unaware of.

Etty’s Masterpiece: A Controversial Beauty

The painting’s focus is on the central group of women, who create a circular pattern with their arms and hands. Initially titled ‘A Composition’ from Milton’s Paradise Lost, it was later renamed ‘The World Before the Flood.’ Critics praised Etty’s work, with The Examiner calling it “outdone his former self” and a reviewer in The Mirror of Literature describing the figures as “graceful and elegant.” However, the painting also faced criticism for its perceived indecency.

The Marquess of Stafford: A New Home

Etty’s fellow artist John Constable described ‘The World Before the Flood’ as ‘a revel rout of Satyrs and lady bums as usual.’ Despite facing criticism, the painting was bought at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition by the Marquess of Stafford for 500 guineas. However, it faced several sales with substantial losses before being acquired by the Southampton City Art Gallery.

Etty’s Legacy: A Life of Art and Controversy

William Etty continued to produce art until his death in 1849, facing both praise and criticism. His other works were also successful, but the controversy surrounding ‘The World Before the Flood’ remained a significant part of his legacy.

The Art and Controversy

In Sarah Burnage’s edited volume William Etty: Art & Controversy, various scholars explore different aspects of Etty’s work, including portraiture and chronology. The painting is a testament to the complex relationship between art, morality, and society in 19th-century England.

A Lasting Impact

Despite declining interest after his death, ‘The World Before the Flood’ continues to be studied for its historical significance and artistic merit. It serves as a reminder of the enduring power of art to provoke thought and debate.

Etty’s The World Before the Flood is a powerful reminder of how art can capture moments of beauty and controversy, reflecting both the desires and moral dilemmas of its time. It stands as a testament to the enduring impact of William Etty’s work on the art world.