jstor:

Here’s what our friends at the Cleveland Museum of Art write about these four 17th-century paintings entitled “Scenes of Witchcraft” by Salvator Rosa:

A huge upturn in interest in witchcraft emerged during the 1500s in Europe, but by the middle of the next century - at least among the cultured elite of Florence - a backlash arose against the many accusations of sorcery. Artists and writers explored the topic more out of curiosity and amusement, chief among them the poet, painter, and satirist Salvator Rosa, who examined witchcraft with gusto in numerous poems and works of art, including these four paintings. They show a range witch types - from the beautiful enchantress to the old crone to the male sorcerer - and represent activities commonly associated with black magic - levitation, love potions, devil worship, the invocation of demons, and transformation. 

If you think that’s awesome, you should browse the museum’s collection in JSTOR—lots of great art from a wide variety of cultures and eras, and it’s open and free for everyone to view and download!

(via jstor)