The Hermitage

The Combat; Angel or Devil

Paul Nash

1910 

Pen, ink and wash

This drawing depicts a dramatic nightmare battle between an angel and a devil. The mysteries associated with the night fascinated the British artist Paul Nash (1889-1946). He explored the notion that sometimes only the trees witnessed events that took place after dark.

In an accompanying poem Nash describes this scene.

‘A place of gibbet-shapen trees and black abyss 
Where gaunt hills brooded dark and evil 
Girdled by dense wet woods and rushing streams 
A dread place seen only in dreams 
Of which there is no history but this 
That on yon’ stony tor 
An angel fought a devil.’

source