Witches’ Sabbath Print – Francisco Goya, 1797, Occult Devil Poster, Satanic Goat Illustration, Gothic Witchcraft Art, Wiccan Home Décor, Occultism & Magic Wall Print #230

This Witches’ Sabbath Print is a reproduction of Francisco de Goya’s famous painting El Aquelarre (The Witches’ Sabbath), created in 1797–1798 and now preserved in the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid. One of the most iconic images of occultism in Western art, the scene depicts the Devil in the form of a horned goat presiding over a gathering of witches under a crescent moon.

Goya’s haunting vision captures the fears, superstitions, and fascination with witchcraft at the end of the 18th century. The goat, crowned with a garland of leaves, extends his hoof in a gesture of authority, while witches of different ages — from young mothers to haggard crones — surround him in acts of worship, offering children, gestures, and devotion.

Available as a fine art print on hand-made paper for a vintage, antique feel, or on canvas for dramatic gallery impact. Each piece is delivered unframed, allowing you to select the perfect frame for your witchy interior, gothic library, or occult altar.

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A Vision of Witchcraft and Superstition

Painted during a period when Spain was caught between Enlightenment rationalism and deeply rooted folklore, Witches’ Sabbath embodies both fear of the demonic and fascination with the forbidden. Goya sought to critique superstition and the oppressive structures of the Inquisition, yet at the same time he brought to life the imagery of witches’ lore with visceral realism.

This image has become an emblem of occult art, its power lying in its ambiguity — is it a satire of religious fear, a record of folklore, or a direct confrontation with humanity’s shadow side?

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What the Artwork Depicts

• The Devil as a Goat – the Baphomet-like figure, symbol of fertility, chaos, and forbidden knowledge.

• The Witches’ Circle – women of all ages, embodying the collective rituals of the Sabbath.

• The Crescent Moon and Night Sky – symbols of secrecy, liminality, and magical rites.

• Children Offered to the Goat – a shocking image representing fear of witchcraft’s destructive power.

• Dark Palette and Expressionism – Goya’s mastery of shadow, surreal gestures, and grotesque faces.

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Symbolism and Occult Meaning

• Satanic Goat – embodiment of the Devil, echoing ancient pagan fertility gods demonized by Christianity.

• Sabbath Rituals – dancing, offerings, and devotion as symbolic transgressions against the Church.

• Witches as Outsiders – marginalized figures, women who embody rebellion and danger.

• Child Sacrifice Motif – reflecting deep-seated fears of witchcraft as a threat to community and morality.

• Moonlit Landscape – the nocturnal setting evokes secrecy, hidden knowledge, and liminal space.

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Historical and Cultural Context

Goya painted Witches’ Sabbath as part of a series of works commissioned by the Duke and Duchess of Osuna, who were fascinated by witchcraft, magic, and the occult. Unlike earlier demonological works like the Malleus Maleficarum (1487), Goya’s treatment is deeply psychological, combining folklore with satire.

Spain in the late 18th century was a land of tension: Enlightenment thought challenged superstition, while the Inquisition still exerted control. Goya’s witches reflect this paradox — grotesque, frightening, yet strangely human. They embody both the Church’s vision of witchcraft as diabolical, and the artist’s critique of a society trapped in fear and ignorance.

Today, this painting is not only an art historical treasure but also a timeless occult icon. It bridges folklore, gothic imagination, and the darker currents of Romanticism.

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Why Choose This Print?

• Authentic reproduction of Francisco Goya’s “Witches’ Sabbath” (1797).

• Iconic symbol of witchcraft, devil worship, and gothic occult art.

• Available on hand-made paper or canvas.

• Delivered unframed – style it your own way.

• Perfect for witches, occultists, gothic art lovers, and collectors of esoteric prints.

• A rare piece that connects Enlightenment Spain, folklore, and occult traditions.

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Perfect For

• Collectors of occult and witchcraft art.

• Admirers of Francisco Goya and Romantic art.

• Gothic interior designers and dark academia spaces.

• Practitioners of modern witchcraft, Wicca, and ceremonial magic.

• Unique gifts for art historians, mystics, and occult enthusiasts.

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More Than Just an Occult Painting

This Witches’ Sabbath Print by Goya is more than a representation of witchcraft — it is a mirror of human fear, imagination, and rebellion. With its demonic goat, grotesque witches, and moonlit ritual, it captures both the darkness of superstition and the eternal fascination with the forbidden. To display it is to invite into your space one of the most haunting visions of occultism ever committed to canvas.

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Canvas vs. Hand-Made Paper — Print Comparison Guide