Human Sacrifice Collection

MEXICO: AZTEC SACRIFICE. Aztecs offering human sacrifices to the sun-god. Aztecs performing ritual sacrifice on a stone inscribed with the Aztec account of their history. Drawing, late 19th century

Human sacrifice chained to a rock, Sea monster, fantasy
Vintage illustration from the story Orlando Furioso. Human sacrifice chained to a rock, Sea monster, fantasy. Orlando Furioso (The Frenzy of Orlando) an Italian epic poem by Ludovico Ariosto

The Night-Hag Visiting Lapland Witches, 1796. Creator: Henry Fuseli
The Night-Hag Visiting Lapland Witches, 1796

The Sacrifice of Isaac, 1636, (1914). Creator: Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn
The Sacrifice of Isaac, 1636, (1914). God ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of his faith (Genesis, XXII: 1-13)

Aztec temple sacrifice. From the Codex Magliabicciano, Museo de America, Madrid

Mythology, Hero rescuing the maiden from sea monster. Orlando Furioso
Vintage illustration from the story Orlando Furioso. Mythology, Hero rescuing the maiden (Damsel in distress, princess in jeopardy) from sea monster

Mythical sea monster devouring a woman. Orlando Furioso
Vintage illustration from the story Orlando Furioso. Mythical sea monster devouring a woman. Orlando Furioso (The Frenzy of Orlando) an Italian epic poem by Ludovico Ariosto

Jephthas Daughter, 1874. Creator: Chauncey Bradley Ives
Jephthas Daughter, 1874. Jephthas only child, a virgin daughter, contemplates her death after her father made a promise to God that if his army was victorious

Khond (or Kandh) Human Sacrifice (engraving)
3654669 Khond (or Kandh) Human Sacrifice (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Khond (or Kandh) Human Sacrifice

Pagan human sacrifice interrupted by the arrival of Christian missionaries (engraving)
3647816 Pagan human sacrifice interrupted by the arrival of Christian missionaries (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

La Danse du Kuli-Kuta (Niamey) Parodie des anciens sacrifices humains du Dahomey)
3251566 La Danse du Kuli-Kuta (Niamey) Parodie des anciens sacrifices humains du Dahomey), from Dessins et Peintures d Afrique, executes au cours de l expedition Citroen Centre Afrique

Moloch, copy of an illustration from Oedipus Aegyptiacus by Athanasius Kirchner
STC202572 Moloch, copy of an illustration from Oedipus Aegyptiacus by Athanasius Kirchner, Rome 1652, used in a History of Magic, published late 19th century (woodcut) by Italian School

A Huge Colossus made of Osier Twigs, in which Men were burnt alive in Honour of the Gods
XJF468524 A Huge Colossus made of Osier Twigs, in which Men were burnt alive in Honour of the Gods, engraved by Cornelis Huyberts

Introduction of Christianity into Britain, Christian Missionaries interrupting a Human Sacrifice
1590058 Introduction of Christianity into Britain, Christian Missionaries interrupting a Human Sacrifice, in the Exhibition of the Royal Academy (engraving) by Christie

Human Sacrifice in Former Times, Tahiti (engraving)
3655920 Human Sacrifice in Former Times, Tahiti (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Human Sacrifice in Former Times, Tahiti)

A wall of human skulls, Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan (coloured engraving)
REV397904 A wall of human skulls, Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan (coloured engraving) by Schley, Jakob van der (1715-79); Biblioteca Nacional de Mexico, Mexico; Dutch, out of copyright

Meriah Poujah ou sacrifice humain dans le Khondistan (engraving)
2789973 Meriah Poujah ou sacrifice humain dans le Khondistan (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Meriah Poujah ou sacrifice humain dans le Khondistan)

Human Sacrifice Offered by Achilles to the Shade of Patroklos (engraving)
1092651 Human Sacrifice Offered by Achilles to the Shade of Patroklos (engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Hernan Cortez destroying the Spanish fleet 13, Montezuma arriving on a gold palanquin to meet Cortez 14
6337840 Hernan Cortez destroying the Spanish fleet 13, Montezuma arriving on a gold palanquin to meet Cortez 14, and Mayan priests making a human sacrifice to Huitzilopochtli 15 by English School

The Suppression of "Long Ju-Ju"Rites by the Aro Expedition, a Human Sacrifice in West Africa (litho)
1629227 The Suppression of " Long Ju-Ju" Rites by the Aro Expedition, a Human Sacrifice in West Africa (litho) by Woodville

Human Sacrifice, from Voyage Historique de l Amerique Meridionale
1123868 Human Sacrifice, from Voyage Historique de l Amerique Meridionale, 1752 (engraving) by Juan y Santacilia, Jorge (1713-73) & Ulloa

Un Francais En Birmanie (engraving)
2783177 Un Francais En Birmanie (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Un Francais En Birmanie)

The Martyrdom of St. John the Evangelist
CH35302 The Martyrdom of St. John the Evangelist by Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia (1403-82); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Italian, out of copyright

Map of Brazil, from the Sala delle Carte Geografiche
BEN95489 Map of Brazil, from the Sala delle Carte Geografiche (Hall of Geographical Maps) c.1570 (oil on panel) by Danti, Egnazio (1536-86); Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo della Signoria) Florence

Sacrifice of a virgin to the River Nile in ancient Egypt (litho)
5997194 Sacrifice of a virgin to the River Nile in ancient Egypt (litho) by Gentz, Karl Wilhelm (1822-1890); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sacrifice of a virgin to the River Nile in ancient Egypt)

Gigantic Druidical Idol (engraving)
979320 Gigantic Druidical Idol (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Gigantic Druidical Idol)

The druids (chromolitho)
973985 The druids (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The druids. Educational card, late 19th or early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

The Sacrifice of Polyxena, from "Bacchanals and Histories", 1744. 1744
The Sacrifice of Polyxena, from " Bacchanals and Histories", 1744

The Sacrifice, from The Satanic Ones, ca. 1882. ca. 1882
The Sacrifice, from The Satanic Ones, ca. 1882

The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, ca. 1640-42. Creator: Pietro Testa
The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, ca. 1640-42

The sacrifice of Isaac by his father Abraham, ca. 1640-42. Creator: Pietro Testa
The sacrifice of Isaac by his father Abraham, ca. 1640-42

Jephthahs daughter kneeling by the sacrificial altar, with her father standing at right, 1730-50

Sacrifice of Iphigenia, 1607-61. Creator: Pierre Biard
Sacrifice of Iphigenia, 1607-61

The sacrifice of Iphigenia, 1650-1700. Creator: Attributed to Arnold van Westerhout
The sacrifice of Iphigenia, 1650-1700

An Antique Sacrificial Scene; verso: Sketch of a Group of People, 1779 (?)

The Sacrifice of Isaac, mid-1750s. Creator: Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo
The Sacrifice of Isaac, mid-1750s

The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, 1789. Creator: Gaetano Gandolfi
The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, 1789

Hagbard and Signe, before 1820. Creator: Eckersberg, Christoffer-Wilhelm (1783-1853)
Hagbard and Signe, before 1820. Found in the Collection of Kunsten Museum of Modern Art Aalborg

Idoles de Tabasco, 1723. Creator: Bernard Picart
Idoles de Tabasco, 1723. Idols of Tabasco. Gruesome scene of human sacrifice that supposedly took place in southern Mexico

Idoles de Campeche et de Iucatan, 1723. Creator: Bernard Picart
Idoles de Campeche et de Iucatan, 1723. Idols of Campeche and Yucatan. Fanciful scene showing people and animals apparently being sacrificed to monsters in Mexico

Hagbard and Signy, 1861. Found in the collection of Nationalmuseum Stockholm

Jephthas Daughter. Found in the Collection of Art History Museum, Vienne

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"Unveiling the Dark Mysteries: A Glimpse into the World of Human Sacrifice" Step back in time and immerse yourself in a realm where ancient civilizations sought to appease their gods through chilling rituals. From the Aztecs' awe-inspiring offerings to the sun-god, to Lapland witches visited by night-hags, these captivating depictions transport us into a world of fantasy and fear. In one scene, an Aztec sacrifice is chained to a rock, awaiting their fate at the mercy of a sea monster lurking beneath turbulent waves. The stone inscribed with their history bears witness to this haunting ritual that shaped their civilization. Rembrandt's masterpiece "The Sacrifice of Isaac" takes us on an emotional journey as Abraham prepares to offer his own son as a sacrifice, showcasing the depths of devotion and faith. This poignant portrayal leaves us pondering the lengths humans would go for divine favor. Traveling further across continents, we encounter scenes from Louisiana's dark past where human sacrifices were carried out amidst vibrant landscapes. The vivid lithographs reveal glimpses into ceremonies performed in Cassange, Congo during the 1820s-30s—a testament to how this practice transcended borders. Delving deeper into religious conflicts and allegations, we confront engravings depicting ritual murders committed by Danites according to Mormon opponents. These unsettling images provoke contemplation about fanaticism and its consequences throughout history. Lastly, an engraving captures an Aztec priest performing sacrificial rites—an embodiment of power intertwined with spirituality—reminding us that even within such gruesome acts lies profound symbolism and belief systems that shaped cultures long ago. As we explore these diverse portrayals spanning centuries and continents, it becomes clear that human sacrifice was not merely barbaric but rather intricately woven into societies seeking divine intervention or appeasement. It serves as a reminder of humanity's capacity for both darkness and transcendence—a haunting testament to our collective past.