Scenes of Witchcraft: Morning by Salvator Rosa

Salvator Rosa, an Italian Baroque painter, was renowned for his dramatic and often wild landscapes. His 1640 oil painting, *Scenes of Witchcraft: Morning*, now at The Cleveland Museum of Art, exemplifies his fascination with esoteric and mythic subjects.

The central figure, a woman in a vibrant yellow skirt and white blouse, brandishes a sword against a terrifying array of creatures. Look closely at the coiled snake, a traditional symbol of temptation, and the bloody frog, often associated with transformation and the underworld. The grotesque, bird-like monsters further intensify the sense of chaos and dark magic.

Rosa was active in Naples, Rome, and Florence, and his work often juxtaposed human figures with untamed nature. This piece reflects his unique interest in occult themes, setting him apart from many contemporaries who focused on religious or classical narratives.

What do these symbolic creatures tell you about the woman's struggle?