The appearance of witchcraft : print and visual culture in sixteenth-century Europe

**Shortlisted for the 2008 __Katharine Briggs Award__**. For centuries the witch has been a powerful figure in the European imagination; but the creation of this figure has been hidden from our view. Charles Zika’s groundbreaking study investigates how the visual image of the witch was created in late fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Europe. He charts the development of the witch as a new visual subject, showing how the traditional imagery of magic and sorcery of medieval Europe was transformed into the sensationalist depictions of witches in the pamphlets and prints of the sixteenth century. This book shows how artists and printers across the period developed key visual codes for witchcraft, such as the cauldron and the riding of animals. It demonstrates how influential these were in creating a new iconography for representing witchcraft, incorporating themes such as the power of female sexuality, male fantasy, moral reform, divine providence and punishment, the superstitions of non-Christian peoples and the cannibalism of the New World. Lavishly illustrated and encompassing in its approach, __The Appearance of Witchcraft__ is the first systematic study of the visual representation of witchcraft in the later fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It will give the reader a unique insight into how the image of the witch evolved in the early modern world. For Centuries The Witch Has Been A Powerful Figure In The European Imagination; But The Creation Of This Figure Has Been Hidden From Our View. Charles Zika's Groundbreaking Study Investigates How The Visual Image Of The Witch Was Created In Late Fifteenth- And Sixteenth-century Europe. He Charts The Development Of The Witch As A New Visual Subject, Showing How The Traditional Imagery Of Magic And Sorcery Of Medieval Europe Was Transformed Into The Sensationalist Depictions Of Witches In The Pamphlets And Prints Of The Sixteenth Century. This Book Shows How Artists And Printers Across The Period Developed Key Visual Codes For Witchcraft, Such As The Cauldron And The Riding Of Animals. It Demonstrates How Influential These Were In Creating A New Iconography For Representing Witchcraft, Incorporating Themes Such As The Power Of Female Sexuality, Male Fantasy, Moral Reform, Divine Providence And Punishment, The Superstitions Of Non-christian Peoples And The Cannibalism Of The New World. Lavishly Illustrated And Encompassing In Its Approach, The Appearance Of Witchcraft Is The First Systematic Study Of The Visual Representation Of Witchcraft In The Later Fifteenth And Sixteenth Centuries. It Will Give The Reader A Unique Insight Into How The Image Of The Witch Evolved In The Early Modern World.--back Cover. Fashioning A New Visual Language For Witchcraft -- The Transformation Of Sorcery And Magic In The Fifteenth Century -- Witches' Cauldrons And Women's Bodies -- Wild Riders, Popular Folklore And Moral Disorder -- Transformation, Death And Sexuality In The Classical World -- A Biblical Necromancer And Two Christian Saints -- Reporting The News And Reading The Signs -- On The Margins Of Christian Europe. Charles Zika. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 237-289) And Index. "For centuries the witch has been a powerful figure in the European imagination; but the creation of this figure has been hidden from our view. Charles Zika's groundbreaking study investigates how the visual image of the witch was created in late fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Europe. He charts the development of the witch as a new visual subject, showing how the traditional imagery of magic and sorcery of medieval Europe was transformed into the sensationalist depictions of witches in the pamphlets and prints of the sixteenth century." "This book shows how artists and printers across the period developed key visual codes for witchcraft, such as the cauldron and the riding of animals. It demonstrates how influential these were in creating a new iconography for representing witchcraft, incorporating themes such as the power of female sexuality, male fantasy, moral reform, divine providence and punishment, the superstitions of non-Christian peoples and the cannibalism of the New World." "Lavishly illustrated and encompassing in its approach, The Appearance of Witchcraft is the first systematic study of the visual representation of witchcraft in the later fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It will give the reader a unique insight into how the image of the witch evolved in the early modern world."--BOOK JACKET Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 3 Copyright Page 4 Table of Contents 5 List of illustrations 6 Preface 11 A note on names, spelling and citation 13 List of abbreviations 14 Introduction 15 1. Fashioning a new visual language for witchcraft 25 2. The transformation of sorcery and magic in the fifteenth century 50 3. Witches’ cauldrons and women’s bodies 84 4. Wild riders, popular folklore and moral disorder 113 5. Transformation, death and sexuality in the classical world 139 6. A biblical necromancer and two Christian saints 170 7. Reporting the news and reading the signs 193 8. On the margins of Christian Europe 224 Notes 251 Works cited 282 Index 304