The Gadarene Demoniacs
1578
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1578
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Gadarene Demoniacs is a 1578 ink by Léonard Gaultier, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a chaotic scene with two robed men standing over a naked, struggling figure on the ground. Around them, a swarm of small, wild-looking animals leaps into the air. In the background, a distant city sits on a hill, with a few people walking near a tower. The animals seem to be flying out of the man on the ground, which looks like a moment of violent release. The men appear calm, almost guiding the scene. If you like this kind of dramatic storytelling, look up engraving to see how artists used lines to create emotion.
