REVELATION
(or the APOCALYPSE)
The Book
of Revelation is also called the Apocalypse of John. It is the
last book of the New Testament, written in Greek probably before AD 96
while the Roman Empire still held sway. It relates John's mystic
vision. John is told to prophesy the triumph of Christianity which
is revealed to him in his vision. He witnesses an epic battle between
the devil (the Beast) and the Lamb of God (Jesus).
Phrases from
Revelation, like "the wrath of God" and "washed in
the blood of the Lamb" express ideas and images familiar to Christians
and non-Christians alike. Many, like "Armageddon" have become titles and themes of classical and popular culture.
The rich visual language describing symbols and scenes is
the source of thousands of art works depicting the events narrated
by John.
Eleanor
Milne has used episodes from Revelation in her recent paintings.
For example, the polyptych in the Gallery on our website represents
how God is revealed to John, seated upon a throne holding in His right
hand a scroll sealed with seven seals. The opening of the seven seals
will show John the "things which must be hereafter," including many
horrible calamities which will have to be suffered before the final
redemption. As the opening of each of the first four seals is announced
by one of four creatures covered with eyes (symbols of knowledge),
a horseman appears. The horsemen are Victory, War, Hunger (or Famine)
and Death, shown here in a detail from the painting. Instead of painting
Death in the traditional way, as a skeleton, Milne has used the more
topical and more frightening image of AIDS as Death.
Go to the
Painting Gallery to see the
whole Revelation Polyptych.
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LB