Who painted Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto]?

Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto] was painted by Jacques de Gheyn II in 1597.

Where can I see Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto]?

Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto]?

Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto] is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto]?

Museum-quality prints of Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto] are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto]

Jacques de Gheyn II , 1597

Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire [recto] is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist Jacques de Gheyn II. It dates from 1597 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in brown ink: 173

About this work

Overview

Jacques de Gheyn II’s drawing, titled Witchcraft Scene with a Vampire (recto), dates to 1597. Executed with pen and brown iron‑gall ink over a black chalk underdrawing, the work measures as a single‑sheet sketch. Its composition is dominated by a compact, shadowy tableau that conveys a nightmarish atmosphere through dense line work and stark contrasts.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre stand two figures: a cloaked individual wearing a pointed hat and clutching a staff, and a hunched, claw‑tailed creature that evokes a vampire or demonic being. Encircling them are gnarled trees and a winding path that leads to a diminutive structure, suggesting a narrative rooted in contemporary superstition, folklore, and the fear of witchcraft.

Technique & Style

De Gheyn employs vigorous cross‑hatching, layering intersecting lines to model volume and generate deep shadows. The rapid, sketchy strokes give the scene a sense of immediacy, while the heavy shading intensifies the eerie mood. The use of brown iron‑gall ink over a black chalk base creates a rich tonal range, emphasizing texture in foliage and the figures’ forms.

History & Provenance

The drawing is documented as a product of de Gheyn’s late‑sixteenth‑century output, a period when he produced numerous illustrative works for printed books and private patrons. Its provenance traces through several European collections before entering its present museum holdings, where it serves as a representative example of Netherlandish graphic art dealing with occult themes.