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John Martin  1789-1854

John Martin The Plains of Heaven 1851-3
The Plains of Heaven  1851-3

Oil on canvas
support: 1988 x 3067 mm
painting

Bequeathed by Charlotte Frank in memory of her husband Robert Frank 1974

T01928

This is the second picture in Martin’s triptych. Unlike the others it is characterised by tremendous tranquillity and harmony. In the central panel, The Last Judgement, the good are shown assembling in ‘the plains of heaven’. The celestial landscape
continues into this picture, representing salvation. Martin included a number of poetsand artists among the good, who are seen in white on the crest of the hill in the foreground of the picture. Behind them stretches the deep blue expanse of a heavenly lake, filled by the rushing water of the distant falls, and surrounded by majestic mountain scenery.

 (From the display caption March 2010)