Artwork
Scenes of Witchcraft: Day
Scenes of Witchcraft: Day is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Salvator Rosa. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1640 by Italian Baroque artist Salvator Rosa, *Scenes of Witchwitchcraft: Day* is an oil painting now owned by the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a tumultuous outdoor tableau that combines a natural landscape with a dramatic episode of witchcraft, characteristic of Rosa’s penchant for theatrical, narrative scenes.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre stands a long‑haired woman in flowing robes, brandishing a broom over a cluster of animals—a sheep, a goat and a dog—lying on the ground. Three diminutive figures lurk in the shadows, their expressions a mix of surprise and fear, while a stormy sky with lightning underscores the supernatural atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Rosa employs a vigorous impasto, applying thick layers of paint especially on the woman’s garments and the animals’ fur to heighten texture and drama. Stark chiaroscuro contrasts illuminated figures with deep shadows, directing the viewer’s eye toward the central action and reinforcing the Baroque emphasis on movement and emotional intensity.
History & Provenance
Active in Naples, Rome and Florence, Rosa was also known as a poet, satirist and printmaker, though his outspoken character sometimes alienated him from contemporary artistic circles. *Scenes of Witchcraft: Day* entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection in the 20th century, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Baroque holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Salvator Rosa (1615 – 15 March 1673) is best known today as an Italian Baroque painter, whose romanticised landscapes and history paintings, often set in dark and untamed nature, exerted considerable influence from the 17th century into…
