The Fallen Angel directs our attention to the figure of the scorned Lucifer. The painting depicts a moment in the story of the War in Heaven, possibly the instant after he was expelled from the heavenly realm and arrived in the terrestrial. It was Lucifer’s prideful character and unbridled ambition which caused him to lust for power exceeding that of God. As a result of his failed attempt at insurrection, Lucifer was cast out of heaven and fell from grace. Interestingly enough, the War in Heaven has little to no biblical foundation: the event itself lacks presence as a story in scripture and is only vaguely referenced in a few books throughout the Bible. Cabanel’s painting is instead inspired heavily by John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost”, which retells these events in a dramatic narrative. The psychological implications behind Lucifer’s expression are many: his tearful gaze is a reaction to shame, ego, rebellion, frustration, and exclusion at once. Lucifer’s covering of his face is very possibly a reaction to the skyscape behind him, a wounding reminder of both his fall from grace and a dimension he can no longer exist in. Concealment becomes the devil’s final safeguard from admission of defeat, an act which would strip him of the last thing he retains: dignity. And yet, upon closer inspection, his eyes tell us that the story is far from over, that the true act of rebellion has yet to begin, and that Satan’s motivation is rooted in revenge. It seems as if, even following this moment of total failure, Lucifer has not yet understood that insurgency against God will return him to the same place time and time again.
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