Gift of S. Powell Bridges Family

Howard Finster divided the substrate for "Earth, Heaven and Hell" into three areas: “Earth Planet” in the middle, surrounded by blue skies, stars, and what appears to be spacecraft. Souls in gowns of blue, green, red, white, pink, and yellow ascend to the upper portion of Finster’s panel – filled with blue skies, puffy white clouds, and white towers. Black text reminds us that “Heaven is worth it all” and provides a list of the many things we won’t have to fear encountering in heaven, including “No Drunk Drivers,” “No Divorce,” “No fraud,” “and “No poor.” The lower portion of the artwork, painted in pinks, oranges, and yellows, represents hell. The conical-shaped pit of hell is created by gray “boulders” placed on either side of the panel, comprised of the faces of those doomed to hell. Again, Finster’s characteristic writing covers the surface of the painting: writing atop those in hell reminds us that “They all had a chance just like you have now” and that, in hell, we won’t have any of the luxuries we take for granted, such as telephones, bathrooms, houses, parties, or pets.

Blog Post: SEEN IN STORAGE: Earth, Heaven, Hell, by Sarah Willoughby ’25