THE ANGEL OF DEATH OVER THE GATE TO PURGATORY 1956

Ernst Fuchs made "The Angel of Death Over the Gate to Purgatory" with I'm guessing oil paint and probably some glazes! It’s an ambitious piece, working with a rich, earthy palette that gives off this sort of alchemical vibe. You can almost smell the pigments, right? Fuchs isn't shy about texture; the paint is layered, thick in places, creating this tangible surface that invites you in. Look at the way he renders the angel's wings, so different, one light and the other dark. This dichotomy is really interesting, how the different elements play against one another, creating a dynamic tension. I’m also drawn to the figures at the bottom, so soft in contrast to the harshness of the angel. Think of artists like Gustav Moreau and some of the Northern Renaissance guys, like Grünewald, who weren't afraid to tackle the big, scary subjects, while diving into the human condition.