William Sharp (English, 1748-1824)
after Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, 1475-1564)
Evil
INV-1380
William Sharp (English, 1748-1824)
after Michelangelo Buonarroti (Italian, 1475-1564)published September 2, 1816
engravingprint
Date
published September 2, 1816
Medium
Engraving on ivory China paper, laid down on ivory laid paper (chine collé)
Dimensions
Image: 30.9 × 22.3 cm (12 3/16 × 8 13/16 in.); Plate: 36.7 × 24.7 cm (14 1/2 × 9 3/4 in.); Primary support: 35.8 × 23.7 cm (14 1/8 × 9 3/8 in.); Secondary support: 43.5 × 30.6 cm (17 3/16 × 12 1/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Elizabeth Hammond Stickney Collection
Sharp transcended Le Brun’s codified expressions of fear and hate when he reproduced the unhinged expression of Michelangelo’s ultimate fiend. Despite the figure’s inhuman screams, Sharp suggested the wicked would not prevail forever, for, according to Psalm 37 (cited on the print’s final state): “The wicked plot against the righteous; and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.”