Apocalypse (Detail)

Painted around the turn of the 16th century in the San Brizio Chapel of Orvieto Cathedral, this fresco is part of Signorelli’s monumental Last Judgment cycle. Constrained by architectural space yet driven by theological intensity, Signorelli stages a powerful vision of the end times, blending classical prophecy with apocalyptic Christian imagery to stir both fear and awe in the viewer.

Apocalypse by Luca Signorelli is a dramatic fresco divided into two vertical panels flanking the chapel entrance, vividly portraying the chaos and terror foretold in biblical prophecy. On the right, celestial and earthly upheaval unfolds—pale stars, fire, and violence—while the left shows the final descent into ruin as bat-like demons rain destruction on the last remnants of humanity.