Witches and Wicked Bodies

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

'Study of Three Satyrs Heads', by John Runciman, 18th century © Scottish National Gallery

About the exhibition

The artistic treatment of female witches, and witchcraft in general, takes centre stage at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art this month. A selection of more than 90 prints, drawings, and even photographs, by western artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Francisco de Goya and William Blake will demonstrate some of the highly exaggerated ways in which witches have traditionally been represented.
The exhibition is divided into six sections, which display modern and historical images alongside each other in a thematic way. One section examines the artistic treatment of 'unnatural acts of flying', including the techniques and spells used by witches to enable them to fly. Other themes include devilish rituals, magic circles and depictions of the witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Witches and Wicked Bodies is on display at Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh from 27 July–3 November. For more information visit the museum website