Object of the Day, Museum Edition: The Witches' Sabbath, 1606

The Witches' Sabbath
1606
The Victoria & Albert Museum

As we get closer to All Hallows Eve, let’s continue our look at some spooky art. Here’s an interesting and powerful painting from the V&A. It’s essentially a domestic interior/genre painting. However, on closer inspection, we can see that amongst the many characters depicted, there are some little monsters or demons who are practicing magical rituals with books, and a cauldron while two elegantly dressed ladies in the foreground look on. At the feet of these two ladies are displayed skulls within a circle with knives and a candle. So, no, this isn’t your typical Seventeenth Century Dutch Genre Painting.

This is the work of Frans Francken the Younger (1581-1642) who was the most notable of a celebrated family of artists. Frans’ claim to fame is the fact that he was the inventor of the “monkey kitchen” compositions (which is exactly what it sounds like). This thematic quirk is described by our friends at the V&A as “a genre that was subsequently widely disseminated by David Teniers (1610-1690) and was renowned for his innovative imagination.”

This particular painting is a perfect example of Frans Francken's representation of witchcraft and served as one portion of a series that he produced on the subject. Francken reveals the traditional iconography of witches--oscillating between beauty and horror, sensuality and lust.

This depiction of “The Witches' Sabbath,”’ naturally, takes place at night and hints at the illicit character of their activity. While the whole scene gives the impression of chaos, and a concept of suffering, there is also a sense of regeneration which alludes to the strength of the magical power of the witches.