Who painted Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto]?

Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto] was painted by Jacques de Gheyn II in 1597.

Where can I see Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto]?

Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto]?

Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto] is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto]

Jacques de Gheyn II , 1597

Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto] is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist Jacques de Gheyn II. It dates from 1597 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques de Gheyn II’s drawing, titled *Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire* (recto), dates to 1597. Executed with pen and brown iron‑gall ink over a black chalk underdrawing, the work measures as a single‑sheet sketch. Its composition is dominated by a compact, shadowy tableau that conveys a nightmarish atmosphere through dense line work and stark contrasts.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre stand two figures: a cloaked individual wearing a pointed hat and clutching a staff, and a hunched, claw‑tailed creature that evokes a vampire or demonic being. Encircling them are gnarled trees and a winding path that leads to a diminutive structure, suggesting a narrative rooted in contemporary superstition, folklore, and the fear of witchcraft.

Technique & Style

De Gheyn employs vigorous cross‑hatching, layering intersecting lines to model volume and generate deep shadows. The rapid, sketchy strokes give the scene a sense of immediacy, while the heavy shading intensifies the eerie mood. The use of brown iron‑gall ink over a black chalk base creates a rich tonal range, emphasizing texture in foliage and the figures’ forms.

History & Provenance

The drawing is documented as a product of de Gheyn’s late‑sixteenth‑century output, a period when he produced numerous illustrative works for printed books and private patrons. Its provenance traces through several European collections before entering its present museum holdings, where it serves as a representative example of Netherlandish graphic art dealing with occult themes.