Witch Riding Backwards on a Goat

Witch Riding Backwards on a Goat is a pivotal engraving created by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528 between 1500 and 1502. This exceptional example of Renaissance printmaking utilizes the demanding technique of engraving in black on ivory laid paper, showcasing Dürer's profound skill in manipulating line to create texture and psychological depth. The German master was essential in elevating the status of the print medium across Europe, demonstrating that works on paper could possess the same intellectual and artistic weight as traditional painting or sculpture.

The subject matter reflects the period's growing fascination with and intense fear of witchcraft and the occult. The image depicts a nude witch dramatically flying through the air, mounted backward on a horned goat, a classic iconographic trope associated with the Witches' Sabbath imagery common in early modern Germany. Dürer uses precise detail to imbue the scene with sinister energy, suggesting not only the physical act of flight but also a moral inversion symbolized by the reverse position of the rider. The depiction belongs to a series of prints by the artist exploring mythological, allegorical, and fantastic themes.

As a highly reproducible medium, this type of print could be widely disseminated, significantly contributing to the spread of these specific iconographies throughout the continent. This impressive impression of the engraving is held in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Though influential in its original format, reproductions of Dürer’s historical prints are now frequently made available through high-quality public domain resources, ensuring this masterwork remains accessible for academic study worldwide.