Witch Feeding Her Imps Print, 1579 – Witchcraft Illustration, Medieval Poster, Occult Wall Decor, Familiar Spirits, Rustic Antique Home Decor #320

This Witch Feeding Her Imps Print is a reproduction of a chilling 16th-century woodcut illustrating one of the most infamous witch trials in English history — the case of Elizabeth Stile, Mother Dutten, Mother Devell, and Mother Margaret in Windsor (1579). The artwork depicts a witch feeding a group of ravenous imps or familiar spirits from a chest, using a spoon as though tending to a brood of animals. This image powerfully visualizes the early modern belief in witches’ pacts with demonic entities and their role as caretakers of infernal creatures.

A Snapshot of Witchcraft Lore and Fear

This dramatic woodcut is more than a simple image — it is a window into the collective fears of Elizabethan England. Familiars were believed to be demonic spirits given to witches by the Devil himself, often in animal form, who would assist their masters in magical deeds, curses, and harmful enchantments. Here, the imps resemble strange hybrids of cats, rabbits, and lizards, each eagerly receiving sustenance from their mistress, reinforcing the notion that witchcraft was a living, parasitic pact that had to be continually fed and nurtured.

Available as a fine art print on antiqued paper for a historically authentic aesthetic, or as a canvas reproduction for a dramatic, gallery-quality statement piece. Delivered unframed, ready for you to mount in a frame that matches your gothic, rustic, or occult-inspired interior.

Symbolism and Esoteric Meaning

• The Witch – The human intermediary between the physical world and the infernal.

• The Imps – Represent the familiar spirits, manifestations of demonic aid and magical power.

• The Chest – Symbolizes secrecy and containment of forbidden knowledge.

• The Feeding Ritual – Suggests the continual nurturing of the pact with dark forces.

• Domestic Setting – Emphasizes the idea that witchcraft lurks within ordinary households.

Historical and Cultural Context

This woodcut comes from one of the earliest printed accounts of witch trials in England. Elizabeth Stile (also known as the “Witch of Windsor”) was accused alongside three other women of murder by witchcraft and consorting with spirits. Their trial and subsequent execution became widely reported, and images such as this were used to educate (and terrify) the public about the dangers of witchcraft.

This piece captures the blend of fear, fascination, and propaganda that characterized the witch hunts of the 16th and 17th centuries. It offers a rare glimpse into how witches were imagined — not merely as outcasts, but as active collaborators with infernal powers.

Why Choose This Print?

• Authentic reproduction of a rare 16th-century witchcraft woodcut

• Available on antiqued paper or canvas for a bold presence

• Unframed – ideal for custom framing

• Perfect for lovers of witchcraft history, demonology, and early modern folklore

• Adds an atmospheric, historical touch to libraries, studies, or occult-themed interiors

Perfect For

• Collectors of witchcraft and occult prints

• Historians and students of early modern Europe

• Practitioners and scholars of magical traditions

• Decorators of gothic, rustic, or dark-academic interiors

• Unique gift for fans of folklore, demons, and esotericism

More Than Just a Witchcraft Print

This Witch Feeding Her Imps Print (#320) is more than a decorative illustration — it is a haunting reminder of the intersection of superstition, religion, and fear that shaped Europe’s past. It serves as a meditation on humanity’s relationship with the unseen, the demonic, and the forbidden.

👉 Order your Witch Feeding Her Imps Print today and bring a rare piece of witchcraft history into your home — perfect for esoteric collectors, lovers of folklore, and students of the dark past.

Canvas vs. Hand-Made Paper — Print Comparison Guide