South German Mannerist around 1600, THE LAST JUDGEMENT

This painting depicts an allegorical representation of the Last Judgement according to Christian belief. Christ as the judge of the world sits in the upper centre of the painting on a throne of clouds, surrounded by his apostles. Angels with trumpets spread the news of the Last Judgement in the various directions. On the earth, the tombs are opening - one is indicated as a sarcophagus in the bottom left corner and the dead are climbing out, while at the same time a violent firestorm approaching from the left in the background signifies the end of the world. In the foreground, an angel separates the figures into good and evil. Some are led up to heaven on the left, while the others are led into the torn-open maw of hell on the right. Oil on wood 60.5 x 46.5 cm