John Martins many influential works brought him huge popularity in his lifetime & his paintings have gone on to inspire film-makers designers & artists in Europe & America. This beautifully illustrated book makes an important contribution to the revival of national & international interest in him & will complement a forthcoming touring exhibition. Establishing the context of Martins youth in rural Northumberland his career in London & subsequent national & international fame Morden captures the apocalyptic mood in England from the 1790s to the 1840s & examines Martins central position as a painter of the sublime". The distinctive character of his work is explored through key paintings in terms of his techniques devices & subject matter & their relationship to the culture & of popular entertainment of the time. Influencing 19th century railway & public architecture Martins reputation spread to Europe & America going on to determine the course of early 20th century cinema & anticipate inter-active mass media in the 21st century. This book establishes John Martin as an important figure in cultural history shaping the way we view & respond to our modern world."