"God Judging Adam"
William Blake, 1795
As the title suggests, this etching shows God passing final Judgement on Adam, the first man.
Both men are shown to be old, with long flowing beards and hair. In fact, the only real distinguishing feature between Adam and God is that God is clothed but Adam is not. Possibly Blake is trying to make a point about how men are made in God's image, and thus emphasise how men have failed to emulate God's ideals or teachings.
Adam's nakedness, coupled with the fact that God is seated and elevated above Adam highlights Adam's low status. God seems to be seated on some sort of chariot, pulled by a fantastical horse, whose mane seems quite flame-like. This idea of flames is echoed in the reds and oranges that seem to make up the circular carriage or throne God is seated on. Heaven is not usually associated with fire or flame - maybe Blake is trying to make God seem more terrifying by surrounding God with brushstrokes and colours that bring flames to mind. The use of colour/texture seems to present an atmosphere of anger - God is angry with Adam.
