Who painted Witch Riding on a Goat?

Witch Riding on a Goat was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1500.

Where can I see Witch Riding on a Goat?

Witch Riding on a Goat is held by Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum.

What movement is Witch Riding on a Goat?

Witch Riding on a Goat is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Witch Riding on a Goat

Albrecht Dürer , 1500

Witch Riding on a Goat is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum.

About this work

Albrecht Dürer’s *Witch Riding a Goat* shows a bony witch in mid-air, legs spread, riding backward on a scrawny goat.

Albrecht Dürer’s *Witch Riding a Goat* shows a bony witch in mid-air, legs spread, riding backward on a scrawny goat. Her wild hair and tattered dress flutter behind her. The goat looks uneasy, as if it knows the ride’s bad news.

Dürer carved this in 1501 using fine lines and tiny cross-hatches. That method makes shadows look real. The small devil-child below adds a creepy joke—like the witch’s failed magic.

See it close up at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Overview

Witch Riding on a Goat is an engraving on laid paper attributed to Albrecht Dürer, dated to around 1500-1501. The print features a dynamic and eerie scene involving a witch, a goat, and a putto (devil-child).

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts a haggard witch riding backwards on a scrawny goat in mid-air, accompanied by a putto at the bottom. The witch’s disheveled appearance and the goat’s apparent unease may symbolize the perceived dangers or consequences of witchcraft, while the putto could represent the demonic or the failure of magical endeavors.

Technique & Style

Dürer employed fine lines and intricate cross-hatching techniques in the engraving, achieving a high level of detail and realistic shadowing. This method was characteristic of Dürer’s mastery of engraving during this period.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1501, the exact provenance of *Witch Riding on a Goat* is not detailed here, but an example of the print is housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Context

This work reflects the late 15th to early 16th century European fascination with and fear of witchcraft, as well as Dürer’s interest in exploring mythological and religious themes through his art.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of *Witch Riding on a Goat* are not provided, as a work by Dürer, it contributes to the broader appreciation of his technical skill and thematic explorations, influencing subsequent generations of artists and printmakers.