72andSunny installed giant demonic murals inside a French church for video game ‘Diablo IV’

Blizzard Entertainment taps Baroque artist Adam Miller for an epic installation, captured in a dramatic film as well

Published On
Mar 06, 2023
Photo of the ceiling of Chapelle des Jésuites covered in Diablo IV murals

Editor's Pick

If Michelangelo had been born 500 years later, he’d definitely be doing art for video games—like this dramatic installation from 72andSunny, experiential production company Wildlife and artist Adam Miller for Blizzard Entertainment’s Diablo IV.

Miller, a Baroque-style artist, created 20 unique paintings to install in the dome and vaulted ceiling of Chapelle des Jésuites, a deconsecrated church in Cambrai, France. The paintings include a 160-foot-long, Renaissance-inspired mural covering the back wall.

The artwork, described in press materials as combining “the epic scale and storytelling of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes with the drama of Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro technique,” teases storylines from the game—including players’ journey into The Burning Hells to battle Lilith, the Queen of Hatred. It was painted on canvas, which then fit the walls—it’s not permanent art.

Good thing this place is already deconsecrated—you definitely don’t want to visit now if you’re seeking absolution from the devil.

A flying demon on Diablo IV's church mural

A masked warrior on Diablo IV's church mural

A warrior with a glowing hand on Diablo IV's church mural

A giant warrior with antlers on Diablo IV's church mural

“From the beginning we were inspired by all the concept art, craft and care going into the game and realized we needed to come up with something that celebrated Diablo IV's dark gothic roots,” said Tim Wolfe, group creative director at 72andSunny. “Something that leaned into their Caravaggio art style and the game narrative to create a campaign that was equally as ambitious as the game itself.”

There is an accompanying video, directed by Henry Hobson through MJZ and featuring a voiceover by Charles Dance:

 

“This is a project we’ve looked forward to sharing with the gaming community. We brought great creative talent together to collaborate on something unconventional but hauntingly Diablo,” added Kaleb Ruel, Diablo VP global consumer marketing. 

Diablo IV Open Beta is scheduled for March 24–26. Those who pre-order get early access from March 17-19. Every gamer that joins the Open Beta will have a chance to be painted into their own scene as a Diablo hero battling Lilith’s evil. 

See a behind-the-scenes film below.