The Genius of Evil by Guillaume Geefs (Interpretation and Analysis)

The Genius of Evil by Guillaume Geefs
Source: Wikimedia Commons

A few days ago, I discussed Franz von Stuck’s portrait of Lucifer. Though his depiction of the fallen angel is bone-chilling, Belgian artist Guillaume Geefs’ depiction of Satan is undeniably beautiful. The Genius of Evil (which is a fabulous name by the way) is a life-size statue of the devil that was commissioned for the pulpit of St. Paul's Cathedral in the Belgian city of Liège; the theme of the decoration was supposed to be "the Triumph of Religion over the Genius of Evil."

While this triumph is represented in the chain around his ankle and the broken scepter in his hands. If you overlook his massive bat wings, horns, and talon-like nails, Geefs’ Lucifer appears to be an otherwise ordinary man, albeit a rather handsome one. In studying his work, it is obvious that Geefs was influenced by both the Neoclassical and Romantic movements. Lucifer’s dramatic pose and overt emotion (you can see a tear sliding down his cheek) is reminiscent of the Romantic movement, while the clean, sharp lines of his idealized body are a clear reference to Neoclassical preferences.

As it happens, Geefs’ sculpture was actually the second image of the devil commissioned for the church. Initially, Geefs’ younger brother Joseph Geefs was hired to create the sculpture. Yet, when he submitted his completed Genius of Evil, the church rejected it because "this devil is too sublime" (read: the devil is too handsome). Joseph Geefs leaned into Romantic art’s tendency towards the dark and the macabre, drawing the viewer’s attention to the seductive power of evil and chaos. However, the younger Geefs made his sculpture too attractive and not fearsome enough for the religious institution of the time. In artistic circles, Joseph Geefs’ sculpture was praised, with some comparing it to a winged Adonis. However, it was Guillaume Geefs’ more dramatic and devilish sculpture that was eventually installed in the cathedral. Personally, this is a decision that I can’t understand because I think Guillaume Geefs’ Genius of Evil is much more “sublime” than the version created by his brother. But, hey, everyone’s going to have different opinions about art, right?

The Genius of Evil by Joseph Geefs
Source: Pintrest

The idea of Satan as a beautiful, seductive creature began to gain steam in popular thought after the publication of John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost in 1667, which details Satan’s fall and his temptation of Adam and Eve. Milton’s humanizing treatment of Satan was revolutionary for the time and led to a greater interest in the devil as a character. With all of these influences, it’s little wonder that the Geefs brothers created sculptures that the church found so objectionable; it would have been basically impossible for them to create anything else.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.