Satan, Sin and Death (Paradise Lost, Book II) 1788

Samuel Ireland's 1788 etching, "Satan, Sin and Death (Paradise Lost, Book II)," depicts a scene from John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost." The etching, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, presents Satan, Sin, and Death as they prepare to invade Heaven. The dramatic composition, focused on the figures' expressive poses and contorted forms, creates a sense of urgency and chaos. The work demonstrates Ireland's skillful use of line and shading to evoke the dark and mythical world of Milton's poem.