Destruction of Tyre 1840

John Martin painted 'The Destruction of Tyre' sometime in the 19th century, capturing the apocalyptic end of the ancient Phoenician city. The painting speaks to the 19th-century British fascination with the rise and fall of empires, connecting biblical prophecy with contemporary anxieties about Britain's own imperial future. The image makes use of dramatic visual codes, such as the sublime and the picturesque, to convey the scene. Martin's expressive brushwork and use of light create a sense of awe, terror, and overwhelming power. Britain, in Martin's time, was undergoing rapid industrialization and social change, leading to debates about progress, morality, and the potential for societal collapse. Institutional histories of the time might reveal an interpretation of divine retribution for commercial excess. Understanding this artwork requires research into British social attitudes toward empire, religion, and progress in the 1800s. By exploring these themes, we can better understand the complex relationship between art and society.