Atomic Age Adventism: A Postwar Polemic

Wayland Springs [Methodist Camp, Imboden, Lawrence County, Arkansas]
Crayon and watercolor on paper
Circa: 1946-1949
Size: 40" x 22 1/2"
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"This is the Devil lashed loose! I come as a thief, The Devil's Viper attack on Pearl Harbor!" So this large crayoned Atomic-Age Adventist Polemic begins.

Warnings of the Rapture, Judgment Day, or as it's formally known, the Second Advent or Parousia, or simply the Second Coming, are as old as the writings themselves, with movements throughout history that gained widespread attention. Think of the Shakers, Millerites, the Mormons, and Seventh-Day Adventists, as well as numerous televangelists pumping you for money and attention. See my video on a related 1844 Millerite drawing.

This graphically intense Adventist drawing takes into account the Atomic Bomb of 1945 and the Axis Powers of Hitler, Mussolini, and Hirohito and heeds warnings by citing Thessalonians 5 throughout, which urges readiness for the "Day of the Lord" and believers to be sober, vigilant, and filled with faith, love, and hope.

The Axis Powers are depicted as part of a three-headed demon representing the countries of Japan, Germany, and Italy, with Hirohito, Hitler, and Mussolini appearing as hooked frogs leaping, all chained to the Archangel Michael. The demon's tail is an atomic crank. Honk-Honk!!

The polemic continues, "Through spirits of devils like frogs this is Revelation of this war 16:13:14:15 for their demons, I follow as a thief and brake the nations to SHIVERS and rule them with a rod of IRON!"

We don't know who created this drawing, but an inscription on the back provides clues about its time and place. It reads, "was given to Bob Bearden, By Old Man in cabin At Wayland Springs," which was a Methodist camp located in Imboden, Lawrence County, Arkansas. "Bob Bearden" was the Reverend Robert Edward Lee Bearden and died in 1949. So, we can date the drawing between 1945 and 1949.

This singular drawing relates to the Outsider Art environments created by Jesse Howard, W. C. Rice, Howard Finster, and Sister Gertrude Morgan.

HIGH RESOLUTION AND ADDITIONAL IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE.

Condition: Very Good - Excellent with expected wear from age. Conserved by Paper Conservation Studio. In a custom frame, artwork floated, with Optium museum acrylic glazing.

Price: $18,000.00

ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED AS REPRESENTED