Demons engulfed in flames
19th century
Medium
Woodcut (re-strike?)
Dimensions
Sheet: 2 3/8 × 4 1/16 in. (6 × 10.3 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Jean Charlot, 1930
Accession Number
30.82.243
Tags
Art Historical Context
This small yet evocative woodcut, created by an anonymous Mexican artist in the 19th century, captures a dramatic scene of demons engulfed in flames. Measuring just over two by four inches, the print exemplifies the accessible and expressive qualities of woodcut technique, where bold lines carved into wood blocks allow for striking contrasts of light and shadow. Such works were often produced as affordable devotional images or moral illustrations, circulating widely among communities during Mexico’s post-independence era. The fiery torment depicted here reflects the deep influence of Catholic...