The Last Judgement
1580–1595
Medium
religion
Classification
religion
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Hugh Cassel
Accession Number
1958-143-24
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**The Last Judgement** (1580–1595) is a captivating religious artwork from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, generously gifted by Hugh Cassel Created by an unknown artist during the late 16th—a time of intense religious fervor amid the Reformation and Counter-Reformation—this piece embodies the dramatic Christian theme of divine judgment. Depictions of the Last Judgement were ubiquitous in European art of the period, serving as vivid reminders of salvation, damnation, and the afterlife often adorning church walls or altarpieces to inspire awe and moral reflection among worshipp...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...