1559
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Witch of Malleghem is a 1559 ink by Pieter van der Heyden, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This crowded scene shows a chaotic mix of people and odd objects. A woman in the center holds a cat while others around her wave tools, pots, and strange instruments. Some figures look like doctors, others like clowns, and a few are half-animal. The background has tiny houses, ships, and a mix of real and mythical creatures. The text around the edges is in Latin and Dutch, hinting this print has a message. The artist packed in so much detail that nothing feels random—every face and object seems to have a purpose. If this packed scene interests you, look up engraving to see how artists carved these intricate lines.
Pieter van der Heyden (c. 1530 - after March 1572) was a Flemish printmaker who is known for his reproductive engravings after works by leading Flemish painters and designers of the 16th century.
See the richer artist page
![Charity [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/5c20ea2a094179e0/thumb.webp)
