Witch sitting on a goat backwards Durer Engravings (1471-1528)

The drawing presents a fantastical scene dominated by a central figure astride an unusual mount. Here we observe a female form, seemingly a witch or sorceress, seated backwards on a goat. Her hair is wild and unbound, swirling upwards as if caught in a gust of wind, and she holds a pipe to her mouth, suggesting ritualistic practices or perhaps intoxication. The posture is assertive; the figure leans forward, engaging with an unseen audience beyond the frame.
Surrounding this central pairing are several winged figures, presumably cherubs or putti, depicted in various states of disarray and apparent attack. They grapple with each other, some holding what appear to be spears or staves, while others fall backwards in a chaotic tangle. Their expressions convey a mixture of fear, aggression, and perhaps even mockery. The composition is dynamic; the figures are not arranged statically but seem caught mid-action, contributing to a sense of unrestrained energy.
The artist’s use of line is particularly noteworthy. Fine, precise hatching creates depth and texture, defining the forms of both the witch and the goat, as well as the delicate wings of the putti. The contrast between light and shadow is stark, enhancing the dramatic effect of the scene.
Subtextually, the drawing appears to explore themes of chaos versus order, the sacred versus the profane, and perhaps even a satirical commentary on societal anxieties surrounding witchcraft and female power. The backwards positioning of the goat suggests inversion or transgression of established norms. The putti’s violent interaction with one another and their apparent assault on the central figure could be interpreted as a symbolic representation of resistance to authority or a depiction of internal conflict. The pipe, often associated with revelry and altered states of consciousness, hints at a rejection of conventional morality.
The overall impression is one of unsettling humor and subversive imagery, characteristic of works that challenge established beliefs and explore the darker aspects of human nature.