"Margerie Jourdayne Conjuring a Diabolical Spirit" (1796) Engraving After John Opie Print – 18th-Century Necromancy Fine Art on Handmade Paper & Canvas

This "Margerie Jourdayne Conjuring a Spirit" Print is a faithful, classical reproduction of the celebrated 1796 stipple engraving by Charles G. Playter and Robert Thew, created after the original painting by English academician John Opie (1761–1807). Depicting the notorious 15th-century "Witch of Eye," Margerie Jourdayne, alongside the priest Roger Bolingbroke as they conjure a horned demon from a billow of smoke, the artwork illustrates Scene IV, Act I of Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 2. Marked by intense theatrical chiaroscuro, dramatic ritual gestures, grimoires, skulls, and a circle of sorcery, this piece stands as one of the most famous 18th-century English visual representations of ceremonial necromancy.

This masterwork of 18th-century English engraving, Shakespearean illustration, and ceremonial magic art is ideal for collectors of antique occult prints, historians of English witch trials, practitioners of ceremonial magic, and dark academia decorators. Available on handmade antiqued paper for an authentic vintage bookplate appearance or as a gallery-quality canvas for a bold, enduring presence. Choose between framed or unframed options to seamlessly match your sacred space, altar, or private library.

A Portal to Ceremonial Magic, Shakespearean History, and Necromantic Lore

Margerie Jourdayne was an actual historical figure executed for treason and witchcraft in 1441 after being accused of casting horoscopes and invoking spirits to predict the death of King Henry VI. Meditating on or displaying this 1796 masterwork connects your space to the dramatic intersection of real history, Shakespearean drama, and 18th-century occult art—evoking the voltage of ritual invocation, ancient grimoire magic, and the high-stakes shadows of political sorcery.

Whether displayed as a central focus for a ceremonial altar, an anchor for a dark academia study, or a centerpiece for an antique print collection, this historic engraving brings an atmosphere of dramatic power, antiquarian intrigue, and gothic majesty to any space.

Functions and Esoteric Uses

This historic ceremonial magic print has traditionally been used for:

• Ceremonial Magic & Evocation Altar Centerpiece – Serving as an authentic visual focal point for studies in spirit evocation, circle casting, and historical grimoires.

• 18th-Century Engraving & Shakespearean Display – Honoring the fine stipple technique of Playter and Thew and the dramatic composition of John Opie.

• Dark Academia & Library Interior Accent – Elevating private studies, reading nooks, and offices with authentic 1790s English fine art aesthetics.

• Witchcraft & Occult History Focal Point – Commemorating the historical memory of Margerie Jourdayne and 15th-century English sorcery trial history.

• Collector's Display – Showcasing a famous engraving plate published for Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery in 1796.

Symbolism and Meaning

• Margerie Jourdayne with the Wand – Symbolizing the directing of subtle forces, ritual focus, and the historical figure of the cunning woman.

• The Raised Horned Spirit – Representing the summoned entity, elemental power, and the unmasking of unseen realms.

• The Open Grimoire & Skull – Embodying ritual formulas, sacred geometry, memento mori, and ancestral knowledge.

• Roger Bolingbroke's Upward Gesture – Symbolizing high ceremonial invocation, calling down planetary powers, and spiritual authority.

Historical and Cultural Context

Published in London in 1796 by John and Josiah Boydell for their monumental Shakespeare Gallery project, this engraving brought together top engravers and Royal Academy painters to illustrate dramatic scenes from the Bard's plays. John Opie’s original painting captured the public’s fascination with both Shakespeare and the gothic supernatural, rendering the 1441 trial of Jourdayne and Bolingbroke with vivid, theatrical intensity.

Today, original 1796 impressions of this engraving are preserved in prestigious institutions like the British Museum and the Folger Shakespeare Library, celebrated as pinnacle achievements of Georgian printmaking.

Why Choose This Print?

• Faithful Historical Reproduction – Accurately rendered 1796 stipple engraving sourced directly from museum archives.

• Premium Material Choice – Printed on authentic handmade antiqued paper or heavy gallery-quality canvas.

• Flexible Display Options – Available framed and ready to hang, or unframed for custom mounting.

• Symbol of Ceremonial Magic & Occult History – Brings a deep, 18th-century dramatic presence to any room.

• Ideal for Studies, Altars & Décor – Designed for home libraries, academic spaces, and fine art collections.

Perfect For

• Practitioners of ceremonial magic, grimoire traditions, and historical evocation

• Collectors of 18th-century engravings, Shakespearean prints, and historical occult art

• Admirers of dark academia aesthetics, gothic history, and dramatic fine art

• Decorators creating moody reading rooms, private sanctuaries, or classical dark studies

This "Margerie Jourdayne Conjuring a Spirit" Print is more than a wall display—it is a timeless key to 18th-century occult art, offering an atmosphere of ritual invocation, Shakespearean tragedy, and historical sorcery to your home study or sanctuary.

👉 Order your Margerie Jourdayne Print today and bring authentic 1796 English art into your space.

Print Size Reference Sheet (A5 to A0)

Canvas vs. Hand-Made Paper — Print Comparison Guide