1. Eine Hexe, die keine ist? Zu Hans Baldung Griens Hexen-Zeichnung in Karlsruhe.
- Author
-
POKORNY, ERWIN
- Subjects
16TH century drawing ,WITCHES in art ,SCYLLA & Charybdis (Greek mythology) ,VENUS (Roman deity) in art ,INTERPRETATION (Philosophy) in art ,ART ,16TH century art - Abstract
The article offers information about a 1515 drawing by German artist Hans Baldung Grien. Various suggested interpretations are given of the relationship between the naked woman and the monster in the picture. The article draws on literary and artistic representations of similar interactions for comparison. After comparing the drawing with other depictions of witches and monsters, the article seeks to determine whether or not the woman in the picture is meant to be a witch. Because of the presence of fish-like and ocean-themed attributes in the picture, it is argued that the woman is a sea nymph. Alternative identities for the woman are suggested, including the Greek sea monster Scylla, or the Roman goddess Venus.
- Published
- 2008