When the end of the world is nigh, according to Biblical legend, four horsemen shall appear to mark the end of the world as we know it. This terrifying tale has been adapted into many horror films and books over the years to scare audiences around the world, but what are the origins of this story - and could it be real?
Where does the story come from?
The story comes from the book of Revelations in the Bible, which details the most devilish aspects of the Christian religion. Immortalized in various art forms over the years, including paintings, cinema and literature, as well as adapted into popular culture in adverts, the story of the four horsemen is supposed to indicate the end of the world.
The four horses and their riders are believed to represent conquest, war, famine and death - the traits which will allegedly bring about the downfall of humanity. There are numerous depictions of this scene, however a consistent theme is the multi-colored horses, thought to reflect the deathly attributes which they represent.
How has it been imagined in art?
One of the earliest and most famous drawings of this scene is by Albrecht Durer in 1498, which uses a woodcutting style to present the doomed scene. The lack of color and monochrome appearance stand out from other paintings of this scene in art history, as well as creating a harsh and bleak environment that perfectly captures the sense of human despair.
In 1796, Benjamin West recreated the infamous apocalyptic scene featuring an array of rich, colorful tones to create a striking imagining of this moment of doom. The emotion and intensity that West evokes in this painting couldn't be more different from Durer's stark vision, but both are an equally haunting view of the end of the world.
If you're inspired by these works of art, why not get closer to the supernatural world by taking a ghost tour and having the chance to experience a similarly chilling moment for yourself?
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