John Martin’s apocalyptic paintings at Tate Britain

An apocalyptic painting of Babylon which set a “template” for scenes in modern catastrophe movies is going on display for the first time in 150 years.

The Fall Of Babylon (1819) by John Martin is the star of Tate Britain’s major retrospective of the controversial British artist, known for his dramatic visions of destruction and biblical catastrophe.

Mr Martin (1789-1854) was at the heart of the popular culture of his time but was criticised for “playing to the cheap seats and addressing a mass audience for art”.

His detractors included poets Samuel Coleridge and William Wordsworth as well as art critic John Ruskin, while Prince Albert and writers the Bronte sisters and Charles Dickens were among the former coach-painter’s fans.

The Fall Of Babylon “set the template for the imagining of catastrophe” and “for imagining the most complete disasters that can befall mankind”, exhibition curator Martin Myrone said.

Apocalypse runs at Tate Britain from September 21 2011, to January 15 2012.