Laughing Devil with Hellfire and Tiny Humans, Giant Sadistic Devil 1946

A sadistic laughing Devil grinning a big smile is pictured hovering over a Hellfire. He is reveling while witnessing tiny ant-like sinners engage in eternal torture, torment, and conflict with one another as they circle the base of the inescapable Hellfire inferno. The painting was done in 1946, a year after WWII ended. It's possible that the artist served in the army or at least had witnessed war, and this painting's glimpse of hell is possibly a reaction to a war experience. The Devil could symbolize war. Despite the horrifying subject matter, the painting is beautifully composed and deftly painted with a post-impressionist paint application .
Signed lower right. Framed dimension 16.25 x 21. It is best viewed under a top gallery-like lighting to bring out color
Oil paint on thin cardboard and the cardboard has slight undulation visible mostly on close inspection or with raking light. Three thin nail holes on extreme edge of board visible only on close inspection. Frame is period but very thin and light.
G. Cougnaud - 20th Century
Oil on thin carboard
16.25 - 21 inches
US$12,500 Plus Shipping