# Witches around the Fire

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/ranson-paul-elie-r9e155371f2edce/witches-around-the-fire-rd66e8dea4a8d52>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [RANSON, Paul Elie](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/ranson-paul-elie-r9e155371f2edce>)
- Date: 1851-1900
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 38 x 55 cm

## Commentary

After having inspired Shakespeare for his tragedy Macbeth in 1606, the theme of witches is taken up by Verdi and Strauss in music, and several painters. Attracted by esotericism and the occult, Ranson also takes an interest in them and portrays naked witches on the Sabbath, accompanied by satanic black cats. They are gathered around a cauldron in which a hellish broth cooks, from which flames emerge in the shape of chimaeras.

## Related artworks

- [Bathers](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/ranson-paul-elie-r9e155371f2edce/bathers-r9613e71e2a1763>)
- [Christ and Buddha](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/ranson-paul-elie-r9e155371f2edce/christ-and-buddha-rbd567ade23c0b8>)
- [Digitalis](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/ranson-paul-elie-r9e155371f2edce/digitalis-r4cfc6610777775>)
- [Tiger in the Jungle](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/ranson-paul-elie-r9e155371f2edce/tiger-in-the-jungle-rfa7833c2e49611>)
- [Witch with the Black Cat](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/ranson-paul-elie-r9e155371f2edce/witch-with-the-black-cat-r4e4bf66e6765a0>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)