Francis Danby led an eventful life; despite artistic success, he had to move continually in order to escape debtors. In 1832, he took a break from his artistic career and went to Lake Geneva to take up boatbuilding. At the age of 67, Danby survived a shipwreck. This painting illustrates an episode in the Bible. In the book of Revelations, the opening of the sixth seal brings the end of the world: 'the sun became black … the moon became as blood … and the stars of heaven fell to the earth … every mountain and island were moved out of their places … for the great day of his wrath is come.' Danby painted this picture not out of religious faith, but because he thought it likely to sell, and because dramatic subjects appealed to him. He also produced a much larger version, now in the National Gallery of Ireland.