The Infernal Council VS The Heavenly Counci

John Milton's Paradise Lost - a summary saga-esque illustration between the endings of BOOK II and beginning of BOOK III

Just a short explanation of the painting - With Satan on the throne, there is a great debate taking place I have dubbed "The Infernal Council"( also called Stygian Council in other descriptions) in the capital Pandemonium (Dante called the capital Dis) on ways to destory heaven, last of which proposed by Beelzebub is to corrupt God's new creation -- MAN. While this is unfolding, God is watching the events in Hell play out, and believes a great sacrifice needs to be made to save the world from sin, his son (Christ) volunteers himself. The angelic choirs ring out and sing his praises.

I wanted Hell to be lavish, respelledent, because the architect of the palaces in Heaven and Hell is the same angel - Mulciber. Hence you see the murals, similar to Anceint Rome, gaudy serpentine pillars etc. The debate taking place needed to feel similar to British parliament or the US Senate/ House.

Also this is painting number 4 for Paradise Lost. A little break from The Divine Comedy. Paradise Lost will have fewer paintings but they will be large!

NO AI.
Create Dont Scrape.

I laboured over this painting for close to 3 years, inbetween client work, personal personal work and life stuffs. With just two place holders for Satans throne (Auguste Rodin's Adam became the base of the throne along with one of the Three Graces (Greek 2nd century) heavily painted over later, everything else is hand crafted. I wanted to channel my heroes - Gustave Dore, William Blake, Bosch, Craig Mullins but most of all scale John Milton's vision.

More to come soon!

You can find more from this project on my portfolio page.