“Dulle Griet” on a Raid before the Entrance to Hell
1651/59 | David III. Ryckaert
At the time of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “Dulle Griet” – or mad Margaret – was the term used to describe the proverbial evil, cantankerous wife who oppresses her husband, is afraid of no one, and will even take on the devil himself. In this painting she is shown swinging her broom at all kinds of demons in front of the mouth of Hell, denoted by the fire on the left. However, she does not have magical powers, she is not a witch. But she was accused of avarice, symbolised here by various gold objects protruding from her apron.
At the time of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “Dulle Griet” – or mad Margaret – was the term used to describe the proverbial evil, cantankerous wife who oppresses her husband, is afraid of no one, and will even take on the devil himself. In this painting she is shown swinging her broom at all kinds of demons in front of the mouth of Hell, denoted by the fire on the left. However, she does not have magical powers, she is not a witch. But she was accused of avarice, symbolised here by various gold objects protruding from her apron.
Artist:
David III. Ryckaert (1612 - 1661 Antwerpen) DNB
Time:
1651/59
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Flemish
Material/technology:
oak wood
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 722
Provenance
1780 Coll. Duke Carl of Lorraine, Brussels; acquired 1780
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