Saul and the Witch of Endor

Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen, Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen, Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen, Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen, 1526

Fearing the outcome of a battle, Saul, king of the Israelites, consulted the fortune-telling witch of Endor. The prophecy came true: Saul lost the battle, but shortly before he was to be killed, he threw himself on his sword. His suicide – in the middle background – is a warning against witchcraft. In the foreground is a Witches’ Sabbath: the fortune-teller sits within a chalk circle, surrounded by other witches, satyrs, and imaginary figures.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-668
  • Dimensionspainted surface: height 87 cm x width 121.6 cm, frame: height 104.2 cm x width 138.9 cm x thickness 5 cm, support: height 85.5 cm x width 122.8 cm
  • Physical characteristicsoil on panel