The sculpture Roter Teufel (Red Devil) was created on the occasion of Stephan Balkenhol’s exhibition at Deweer Gallery in February-March 2016. In this exhibition, Balkenhol played upon, among others, the thematic contrast 'angel vs. devil’. The statue is impressive in both its size (2m55 high) and the highly expressive value of its red colour schemes. In contrast to the traditional iconographic significance of the devil as the terrifying personification of evil, Balkenhol’s devil does not immediately inspire terror. His whole body – arms crossed high over his chest, feet firmly together, a gaze that overlooks everything before him – rather seems to question or confront the observer(s) with a message in the line of: 'What are you all up to?’ or ‘Rest assured, I have my eye on you’.
Just like almost all of Balkenhol’s human statues, this work exudes a high sense of ordinary humanity. Face and hands are as human as can be.
Under its ceremonial cloak, the figure wears a short tunic reminiscent of medieval clothing. Partly because of his historical habiliment, this devil appears to be a theatrical man, disguised as the devil, rather than an incarnation of evil.