Cathedrals Abbeys and Churches

15th Century depictions of Heaven and Hell

Heaven and Hell, along with the Last Judgement and Weighing of Souls, feature heavily in English medieval wall art within Cathedrals and Churches. As the 15th century progressed, the style of depiction of these religious images was changing across Europe. Doom images and those idealising Heaven became increasingly intricate as the artists of the Renaissance flourished. Below is a small selection of continental depictions of Heaven and Hell from the 15th century, along with one English church wall painting to illustrate the different approaches to ecclesiastical artwork in different parts of Europe.

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Exterior paintings on English Medieval Cathedrals and ChurchesMedieval depictions of the Crucifixion [in England]Weighing the SoulDoom Paintings

Byzantine, early 15th century
Four Icons from a Pair of Doors (Panels), possibly part of a Polyptych: John the Theologian and Prochoros, the Baptism (Epiphany), Harrowing of Hell (Anastasis), and Saint Nicholas
Four Icons from a Pair of Doors (Panels), possibly part of a Polyptych: John the Theologian and Prochoros, the Baptism (Epiphany), Harrowing of Hell (Anastasis), and Saint Nicholas. Public Domain, via the Met Museum.

Byzantine icons from the early 15th century. It appears that the artist has been influenced by Italian artistic trens of the period through the use of flowing robes on St. Nicholas. The third of the icons depicts the Harrowing of Hell. Artist unknown.

Heaven, from a Doom Painting at St. Mary’s Church, North Leigh, Oxfordshire
Saved Souls being greeted at the entrance to Heaven
Saved Souls being greeted at the entrance to Heaven

This 15th century Doom Painting illustrates the entry to Heaven for those whose souls have been saved. The full image also illustrates Hell and the last Judgement. It is on the wall of St. Mary’s Church in North Leigh, Oxfordshire.

Paradise
Paradise. Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia). Italian. 1445
Paradise. Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia). Italian. 1445

This depiction of Paradise, or Heaven, was once on the altar frontispiece in the church of San Domenico, Siena.

Plague and the Last Judgement
Plaque with the Last Judgement. Atelier of Monvaerni. ca. 1500
Plaque with the Last Judgement
Atelier of Monvaerni
ca. 1500. Public Domain, via The Met Museum

Whilst the 14th Century is often associated with plagues, pestilence and the Black Death, the 15th Century also saw serious outbreaks of the Plague, including in England during the Wars of the Roses. Plague outbreaks influenced artists, as shown in this c1500 painting.

The Crucifixion: The Last Judgement
The Crucifixion; The Last JudgmentJan van Eyck Netherlandish
ca. 1436–38
The Crucifixion; The Last Judgment.
Jan van Eyck Netherlandish. ca. 1436–38. Public Domain, via The Met Museum

With images such as this being produced by the court artist of the Duke of Burgundy, it is the case that many English merchants, diplomats and travellers would have seen it. As a result, English artists and church officials would potentially be influenced by such works when creating their own interpretations of the Last Judgement, The Crucifixion, or in Doom Paintings.

Featured Image of Heaven and Hell

By Hieronymus Bosch – The Bosch Project, Public Domain, via Wikimedia. The left panel illustrates the Garden of Eden, the central panel shows the Garden of Earthly dlights, and the right panel depicts hell. This 3 panel, triptych oil painting could be closed. The exterior panels show the world during creation, probably on the Third Day, after the addition of plant life but before the appearance of animals and humans.

The Garden of Earthly Delights. Hieronymus Bosch,. 1490-1500
The Garden of Earthly Delights. Hieronymus Bosch,. 1490-1500

Links about late medieval art showing Heaven and Hell

Google Arts – John Paul Getty Museum collection entitled Heaven, Hell and Dying Well

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