Heaven on Earth: Painting and the Life to Come

The idea of heaven on earth haunts the human imagination, and T.J. Clark investigates how painting has given form to this vision. He explores the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, including works by Giotto, Bruegel, Poussin, and Veronese, and asks if it was to paintings advantage that artists could reflect on the powers and limitations of religion without putting their thoughts into words. The book ends with Picassos 1958 painting, Fall of Icarus, which seems to signal an age when all futures are dead.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2018
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

The concept of a heavenly paradise on Earth has captivated the human imagination for centuries. Believers hold that a time will come when the pain and confusion of mortal existence will be replaced by a transformed community. This vision of the world appears indelible, even permeating the realm of politics. Some argue that even politics has not escaped the sacred, with its dreams of the future still drawing inspiration from the prophets.

In his book, Heaven on Earth, T.J. Clark delves into the diverse ways in which painting has envisioned the arrival of God's kingdom. He takes us back to the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, exploring the works of artists such as Giotto in Padua, Bruegel confronting the horrors of religious war, Poussin depicting the Sacraments, and Veronese unraveling the human comedy. Clark's central question is whether it was advantageous for paintings to allow artists to reflect on the powers and limitations of religion without explicitly expressing their thoughts in words during an era of enforced orthodoxy.

At the heart of the book lies Bruegel's ironic yet tender portrayal of "The Land of Cockaigne," as well as Veronese's enigmatic "Allegory of Love." The narrative concludes with Picasso's iconic "Fall of Icarus," created for UNESCO in 1958, which already seems to presage an age when all futures are lost.

Through his meticulous analysis, Clark sheds light on the ways in which painting has served as a medium for exploring the complexities of religion, spirituality, and human existence. He offers a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between art and religion, challenging our preconceptions and prompting us to reevaluate our understanding of the sacred.

Heaven on Earth is a captivating and insightful journey that will appeal to art enthusiasts, historians, and anyone interested in the intersection of religion and culture. It is a testament to the power of art to inspire, challenge, and transform our perception of the world.

Weight: 786g
Dimension: 239 x 162 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500021385