The Deities: Demogorgon in the Cave of Eternity

1588–90

Hendrick Goltzius

(Dutch, 1558–1617)

Culture

Netherlands, 16th century

Medium

chiaroscuro woodcut

Measurements

Overall: 34.9 x 26.2 cm (13 3/4 x 10 5/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1952.204

Catalogue raisonné

Hollstein 374 (VIII)

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Location

Not on view

Description

Not all witches were women; men also performed magic. Unlike the destructive and sexualized stereotypes of female witches, male magicians were likened to the philosophers, alchemists, or heroic scientists of the Renaissance. In Goltzius's print, which was so popular it was reprinted as late as the 19th century, the central male figure is Demogorgon, the omnipotent father of all gods. Although Demogorgon was feared as the "Demon-gorgon," a terror who could unleash his primordial power, Goltzius portrays the god as a wizened and magical force who uses his power to give form to the world.