Images
https://piction.clevelandart.org/cma/ump.di?e=ED80E9485DC953002B0CE1851624C17478DFF27864F602AB8D00B4F8FA59C45A&s=24247294&se=286728403&v=3&f=1952.204_o2.jpg
Nov 9, 2006
The Deities: Demogorgon in the Cave of Eternity
The Deities: Demogorgon in the Cave of Eternity
1588–90
Hendrick Goltzius
(Dutch, 1558–1617)
Chiaroscuro woodcut
Overall: 34.9 x 26.2 cm (13 3/4 x 10 5/16 in.)
Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1952.204
Catalogue raisonné: Hollstein 374 (VIII)
Location
Download and Share
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.
Contact us
The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.
To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.
All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.