Artwork
A Witches' Sabbath
A Witches' Sabbath is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Cornelis Saftleven. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
A chaotic scene unfolds in 'A Witches' Sabbath', an oil on panel painting, where a witch mounted on a goat and wielding a broomstick emerges from the left, pursuing a multitude of devils.
Subject & Meaning
The painting blends supernatural menace with naturalistic observation, characteristic of Northern European tastes. The witch's pursuit symbolizes the confrontation between good and evil, while detailed renderings of moth wings and a frog's body reflect the era's blend of fantasy and scientific curiosity.
Technique & Style
Cornelis Saftleven employs fine brushstrokes and a restrained color palette to depict the fantastical scene, catering to the refined tastes of Dutch buyers. The use of chiaroscuro creates depth, contrasting light and dark to enhance the dramatic chaos.
History & Provenance
No specific historical ownership or exhibition records are provided for 'A Witches' Sabbath', though it reflects Saftleven's adaptation to evolving Dutch artistic preferences during his time.
Context
Created amidst the Dutch market's shift towards appreciating detailed, scientifically informed art, 'A Witches' Sabbath' balances the bizarre with meticulous natural observations, appealing to both the fear of the supernatural and the fascination with the natural world.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Saftleven (c. 1607 in Gorinchem – 1 June 1681 in Rotterdam) was a Dutch painter who worked in a great variety of genres. Known in particular for his rural genre scenes, his range of subjects was very wide and…
Temptation of Saint Hilarion
Kreikkalaiset hyökkäävät Troijaan
Die “Dulle Griet” unternimmt einen Raubzug vor der Hölle
Christ's Descent into Limbo
Bear Hunt
Dogs Fighting Bears
Bivouac After the Skirmish at Schleswig on the Night Between 23 and 24 April 1848
Orpheus and Eurydice in the Underworld
The Road to Calvary
Theodore Meets in the Wood the Spectre of His Ancestor Guido Cavalcanti