The Fall of the Rebellious Angels



The Fall of the Rebellious Angels[1] (1554) Frans Floris (1517–1570)


On entering the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp I was struck by this (see above) painting, its energy is truly captivating and also quite frightening, I knew this work would be a challenge. Contemplating it appeared as if the battle was unfolding before me.

Frans has demonstrates a strong 15C Renaissance influence and he would have been familiar with Michael Angelos work in the 16th Chapel as the bodies in this work bear some resemblance to Michael Angelos nudes, but his treatment of this subject offers us a captivating narrative.

Floris has created a cycle, our eye travels across and around the canvas guided by the events that are taking in the battle, we see the moment of fight but also what is about to happen. You can make your way across the painting many times each focusing on new details and becoming more involved within the story with new revelations with in the image, it is full of details, expressions and movement.


What captivated me was the appearance of the subjects and how "good" and "rebel" angels how they are engaged in a rather ferocious fight, yet the good angels appear to be fighting gracefully and wining as they crush the rebels almost effortlessly. I am impressed by the contours of the bodies and how they are entangled, the treatment of the work seems to be successfully life like, this painting has been executed with great skill appearing to mesmerise with all the action which it encompasses.


If you allow your eye to wonder the battle seems to gain life and there is an illusion of movement with in the painting, this to me represents the work of a great master. I hope that you will enjoy it too. My favorite point of reference is the angel of the left corner which has lifted his sword to cut the dragons tail, through out this painting is full of moments of furor which are imminent, engaging us in expectation and excitement.


More works by Floris can be found here: http://www.all-art.org/DICTIONARY_of_Art/f/floris1.htm