Inhuman Collection

Demon head, ca. 1600. Creator: Anonymous
Demon head, ca. 1600. Private Collection

Demon, 1904. Private Collection

Tamara and Demon. Illustration to the poem The Demon by Mikhail Lermontov, c. 1880. Artist: Zichy, Mihaly (1827-1906)
Tamara and Demon. Illustration to the poem The Demon by Mikhail Lermontov, c. 1880. Found in the collection of State Lermontov Museum Tarkhany

Satan as a fallen angel. Private Collection

Demons head, 1890. Artist: Vrubel, Mikhail Alexandrovich (1856-1910)
Demons head, 1890. Found in the collection of State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

The Demon downcast, 1901. Artist: Vrubel, Mikhail Alexandrovich (1856-1910)
The Demon downcast, 1901. Found in the collection of State Central Literary Museum, Moscow

Tamaras Dance. Illustration to the poem The Demon by Mikhail Lermontov, 1890-1891. Found in the collection of State Central Literary Museum, Moscow

Flying Demon, 1890-1891. Artist: Vrubel, Mikhail Alexandrovich (1856-1910)
Flying Demon, 1890-1891. Found in the collection of State Central Literary Museum, Moscow

Illustration to the poem The Demon by Mikhail Lermontov, 1913-1914. Artist: Zamiraylo, Viktor Dmitrievich (1868-1939)
Illustration to the poem The Demon by Mikhail Lermontov, 1913-1914. Found in the collection of State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

Demons head. Illustration to the poem The Demon by Mikhail Lermontov, 1890-1891. Found in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Tamara in the coffin. Illustration to the poem The Demon by Mikhail Lermontov, 1890-1891. Found in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Flying Demon, 1899. Artist: Vrubel, Mikhail Alexandrovich (1856-1910)
Flying Demon, 1899. Found in the collection of the State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

The Demon downcast, 1902. Artist: Vrubel, Mikhail Alexandrovich (1856-1910)
The Demon downcast, 1902. Found in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Horseman. Illustration to the poem The Demon by Mikhail Lermontov, 1890-1891. Found in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Drawings Prints, Print, Chap. XIV, Quels, inhumains!, mettre, dehors!, How, inhuman, me, out--doors
Drawings and Prints, Print, Chap. XIV: Quels inhumains! mettre dehors! (How inhuman to put me out-of-doors!), Un an de la vie d un jeune homme (A Year in the Life of a Young Man), Artist

The Monk Almachius attempting to stop the Gladiatorial Combat, illustration
KW270828 The Monk Almachius attempting to stop the Gladiatorial Combat, illustration from The Outline of History by H.G. Wells, Volume II, published in 1920 (litho) by Ademollo

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"Inhuman: Exploring the Dark Depths of the Human Psyche through Art" Delve into the realm of darkness and despair as artists throughout history have captured the essence of inhumanity. From Mikhail Lermontov's haunting poem "The Demon" to Mihaly Zichy's chilling illustration, these works depict a world where humanity is stripped away, leaving only demons and fallen angels. In one scene, we witness a son forced to join a firing squad executing his own father—a heart-wrenching portrayal of the depths to which humanity can sink. The pain and conflict within this image are palpable, forcing us to confront our own capacity for cruelty. Mikhail Vrubel's masterful brushstrokes bring Satan himself to life—a fallen angel consumed by darkness. His demon head captures both terror and fascination, drawing us closer despite our instinctive repulsion. And in another piece, we see The Demon downcast—an embodiment of sorrow and regret that reminds us even those who personify evil may experience moments of vulnerability. Vrubel continues his exploration with Tamara's Dance—an ethereal depiction that juxtaposes beauty with danger. It serves as a reminder that sometimes it is within ourselves that we find our greatest adversaries—our inner demons dancing alongside us. Zamiraylo takes up this theme in his illustration from 1913-1914, presenting an eerie vision inspired by Lermontov's poem. Here we witness yet another manifestation of demonic presence—the artist skillfully capturing its malevolence through intricate details. Vrubel returns once more with Tamara in the coffin—a haunting image that evokes feelings of loss and tragedy. This visual representation forces us to contemplate mortality while also highlighting how death can be intertwined with themes of darkness and otherworldly beings. Finally, Vrubel presents his Flying Demon—an enigmatic figure soaring through the skies with an air of menace.