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Scenes of Witchcraft, c. 1645-1649. Creator: Salvator Rosa (Italian, 1615-1673)
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Scenes of Witchcraft, c. 1645-1649. Creator: Salvator Rosa (Italian, 1615-1673)
Scenes of Witchcraft, c. 1645-1649. A huge upturn in interest in witchcraft emerged during the 1500s in Europe, but by the middle of the next century--at least among the cultured elite of Florence--a backlash arose against the many accusations of sorcery. Artists and writers explored the topic more out of curiosity and amusement, chief among them the poet, painter, and satirist Salvator Rosa, who examined witchcraft with gusto in numerous poems and works of art, including these four paintings. They show a range witch types, from the beautiful enchantress to the old crone to the male sorcerer, and represent activities commonly associated with black magic: levitation, love potions, devil worship, the invocation of demons, and transformation. A common subject in Italian art of the 1600s, transformation was usually seen in interpretations of myths based on Ovids ancient Latin text, the Metamophoses. Rosa found a novel way to exploit this idea, drawing attention to his own ability to transform paint and canvas into a disturbing, nightmarish world
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Media ID 19641377
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1615 1673 Salvator Rosa Salvator Rosa Italian
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This print titled "Scenes of Witchcraft" by Salvator Rosa takes us back to a time when witchcraft was both feared and fascinating. Created between 1645-1649, this artwork reflects the shifting attitudes towards sorcery in Florence during the 17th century. Salvator Rosa, an Italian poet, painter, and satirist, delved into the subject of witchcraft with great enthusiasm. In these four paintings, he explores various aspects of black magic - from levitation to devil worship to the invocation of demons. The range of witches depicted includes enchantresses exuding beauty, old crones emanating wisdom and male sorcerers wielding power. One notable element in Rosa's work is his use of transformation as a common theme. While Italian art often drew inspiration from Ovid's Metamorphoses for depictions of metamorphosis based on ancient myths, Rosa took a different approach. He skillfully transforms paint and canvas into a nightmarish world that is both disturbing and intriguing. During this period in Europe's history, interest in witchcraft surged before facing backlash among the cultured elite like those in Florence. However, artists like Salvator Rosa continued exploring this topic out of curiosity and amusement rather than perpetuating fear or accusations. Heritage Art/Heritage Images presents this remarkable print that allows us to delve into the enigmatic world created by Salvator Rosa over three centuries ago – an artistic exploration that continues to captivate audiences today.
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