The Last Judgement, detail Fra Angelico (1400-1455)

Here we observe a scene steeped in torment and grotesque revelry. A circular table dominates the composition, around which figures appear to be engaged in a macabre feast. These individuals are not depicted with dignity or grace; instead, their expressions range from vacant stares to overt displays of suffering, suggesting a state beyond earthly pain. Their nudity emphasizes vulnerability and exposure to an unseen judgment.
Surrounding this central gathering is a throng of demonic figures. They possess exaggerated features – elongated snouts, sharp teeth, and piercing eyes – and are rendered with a palpable sense of menace. Flames lick at their forms and the background, contributing to the overall atmosphere of infernal heat and destruction. Some demons actively torment the seated figures, physically restraining or inflicting pain upon them.
The artist employed a palette dominated by earthy tones – browns, ochres, and reds – which amplify the feeling of decay and fire. The stark contrast between the pale flesh of the condemned and the dark hues of their tormentors further underscores the division between the damned and those who inflict suffering.
Subtly, the composition suggests a perversion of communal ritual. A table setting – plates, goblets, and a pitcher – implies an attempt at normalcy within this chaotic environment. However, the context of demonic presence and visible anguish renders this semblance of order deeply unsettling. The scene appears to be a visual allegory for moral corruption and the consequences of sin, where earthly pleasures are twisted into instruments of eternal punishment. The detail highlights the artist’s intention to convey not merely physical suffering but also the psychological degradation that accompanies damnation.