The End of Sodom in Ghent, Belgium

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Auguste Levêque was born in 1866 in Nivelles, Walloon Brabant. He is a Belgian painter who combines elements of realism and symbolism in his work. As an artist, Levêque also excels as a sculptor, poet, and art theorist. His artistic education began at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels under Jean-François Portaels. In 1890, Levêque received the Prix Godecharle for his painting Job. This prestigious award solidified his position as a talented young artist. Levêque was an active member of the "Salon d'Art Idéaliste," a group formed by Jean Delville in Brussels in 1896. The Salon was considered the Belgian equivalent to the Parisian Rose & Cross Salon. Other notable members included Léon Frédéric, Albert Ciamberlani, Constant Montald, Emile Motte, Victor Rousseau, Armand Point, and Alexandre Séon. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible is often associated with the term sodomy. This term originates from a biblical narrative where three men, believed to be angels, visit Abraham in the plains of Mamre. After receiving hospitality from Abraham and his wife Sarah, God reveals that he will destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their grave sin. Abraham inquires about sparing the city if 50 righteous people are found within it. God agrees but later reduces this number to 45, then 40, then 30, then 20, and finally at 10. Two angels are sent to investigate Sodom, where they meet Abraham's nephew Lot. Lot convinces the angels to stay with him, and they eat together. As they prepare to leave, one angel instructs Lot not to look back. However, Lot's wife disobeys this command, glancing back at the city as it is destroyed by fire and brimstone from God. She is turned into a pillar of salt. Meanwhile, Lot refuses to hand over his guests to the inhabitants of Sodom, offering them his two virgin daughters instead. The men refuse this offer, become angry with Lot for giving orders, and attempt to break down the door. The angelic guests rescue Lot and inform him about their mission to destroy the city.