The Witch (Night Piece)

1626

Jan van de Velde II

(Dutch, c. 1593–1641)

Culture

Netherlands

Medium

engraving

Measurements

Platemark: 21.6 x 29 cm (8 1/2 x 11 7/16 in.); Sheet: 24 x 31.5 cm (9 7/16 x 12 3/8 in.)

Credit Line

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection 1943.635

Catalogue raisonné

Hollstein XXXIII.53.152

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Location

101A Prints & Drawings

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Description

A seductive witch standing inside a magic circle prepares a nasty brew for her Sabbath, surrounded by her familiars (supernatural entities) in the form of beasts and demons, as well as symbols of human weaknesses like lust (a goat) and gambling. This engraving reflects the market for prints with dramatic, flickering illuminations similar to tenebrist (extreme dark/light contrasts) paintings from the early 1600s. Their theatrical lighting effects result from layering long, fine lines in dense parallel and crossed patterns. The dark manner of engraving suits the sinister scene portrayed here.