ART BY FINN MACKOUL
There are Seven Deadly Sins, each represented by one of the Seven Princes of Hell. Each of the following portraits contain the sin and the demon: Envy/Leviathan, Wrath/Satan, Pride/Lucifer, Mammon/Greed, Asmodeus/Lust, Beelzebub/Gluttony, Belphegor/Sloth. Each portrait is oil on canvas and each is original and one of a kind.-Finn MacKoul
Leviathan, Prince of Envy- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; Referenced in several biblical texts, Leviathan is typically pictured as a sea monster or sea serpent. Psalms, The Book of Job, Isaiah, and Amos are among the most accepted references to this beast. Envy is more than jealousy. Envy rejects his own form in obsession of another's.
Satan, Prince of Wrath- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; Satan and Lucifer are often combined into one entity. He is synonymous with the words ""adversary" and "accuser," hence the relationship with anger or wrath. Satan features prominently in all three major abrahamic religions.
Lucifer, Prince of Pride- 11x13 in oil on canvas; Lucifer is one of only three archangels named in the Bible, next to Michael and Gabriel. This prince of hell, champion of Pride, was the leader of the revolt against God, cast out because his own pride could not allow man to be referenced over the angels themselves.
Mammon, Prince of Greed- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; In Hebrew, Mammon translates to "money" or "wealth." Greed is insatiable. No matter how much he obtains, he will never fill the void in his soul or achieve contentment in his existence. He is a parasite that seeks to hoard and deny others.
Asmodeus, Prince of Lust- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; Primarily from the Book of Tobit, this prince of hell represents another sin full of fervor and energy. Here he is closely associated with Wrath as both sins are almost violent in their execution and outward in their effect.
Beelzebub, Prince of Gluttony, Lord of the Flies- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; This prince of hell is also known as the Lord of the Flies. He is one of the demons expelled by Jesus Christ in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. He represents gluttony. In ancient times, Gluttony was a sin because is denied food to the poor by consuming more than you required. Fitting that this demon prince is associated with festering insects.
Belphegor, Prince of Sloth- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; Some theologians connect this Prince with Beelzebub as a twin brother. Featured in the Kabbalah and Milton's "Paradise Lost," this demon entices us into inaction, into not caring, into stagnation. He is laziness personified. In modern times, Belphegor celebrates the sickness of addiction.
There are Seven Heavenly Virtues that mirror and combat the Seven Deadly Sins. These too have their champions in the form of the Seven Archangels. Raphael/Generosity, Gabriel/Gratitude, Michael/Humility, Uriel/Temperance, Jophiel/Diligence, Zadkiel/Chastity, Chamuel/Patience, are portrayed here as an answer and counter to the demon princes above. Each portrait is oil on canvas and each is one of a kind.- Finn MacKoul
Raphael, or the Virtue of Generosity- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; The Archangel Raphael, mentioned in the Book of Tobit and 1 Enoch, is not mentioned in the Bible itself, but is recognized by the three abrahamic religions. He is a healer, therefore a giver of hope, which is why he is associated here with generosity, the antithesis of Greed.
Chamuel, or th Virtue of Patience- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; Also spelled Camael, he is listed as one of the seven archangels in the "Corpus Areopagiticum." Associated with strength and compassion, he becomes a symbol of patience, the antithesis of Satan's Wrath.
Gabriel, or the Virtue of Kindness- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; Gabriel is one of the two named Archangels sent by God to intercede in the Bible. He is one of the only Angels to be names in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Quran. Gabriel is the messenger of God, most importantly, deliverer to Mary the prophecy that she will bear the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. Associated with Lillies and Trumpets, Gabriel is associated here with Gratitude and Acceptance of who we are and what God has given us, the antithesis of Envy.
Zadkiel, or the Virtue of Chastity- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; Zadkiel is one of the named seven archangels and is represented throughout medieval churches in Europe. He brings salvation to those through suffering from their own actions. Here he is associated with Chastity, pure, healthy love, as is the love for God. He is the antithesis of Lust.
Uriel, or the Virtue of Temperance- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; Uriel is known in orthodox traditions and is one of the four Archangels named in the Anglican tradition. Some texts associate him with a fiery sword, with human beauty and with being the keeper of the key to the Great Pit. For these reasons, here he is associated with Temperance, emotional and physical self-control and discipline, the antithesis of Gluttony.
Michael, or the Virtue of Humility-11x13 inch oil on canvas; The Archangel St. Michael is the considered the leader of the archangels, the one who defeated Lucifer in the Great War in Heaven. He is associated with his flaming sword and his shield. He is the leader of Heaven's army. He is a warrior of God. He is the most well known of all the Archangels throughout religious traditions. For his adherence to the will of God, he is the champion of Humility and Humbleness. He is the antithesis to Lucifer and his sinful Pride.
Jophiel, or the Virtue of Diligence- 11x13 inch oil on canvas; Jophiel is associated with wisdom and teaching. Often depicted as an angel with incredible focus and devotion, Jophiel is here associated with Diligence, displaying an energy and strength to accomplish great works. Jophiel is the answer to Belphegor's Sloth.