“Saul and the Witch of Endor” is a religious painting created by artist Benjamin West in 1777, which illustrates a story from the Bible. The work falls within the Neoclassical art movement, a period characterized by a renewed interest in classical thought and form.
In the artwork, the composition centers around a dramatic encounter between three figures, in a setting that appears heavy with emotion. The central figure appears ethereal, with a white, illuminated presence that casts a stark contrast against the darker tones of the scene, suggesting a supernatural or divine manifestation. This figure is the ghost of the prophet Samuel, called upon by the Witch of Endor at the behest of Saul, the first king of Israel, on the left, recoiling in fear and awe. Saul is depicted in a posture of penitence or perhaps despair, with his crown removed, signifying his fall from favor and the desperate situation that led to consulting a medium. On the right, another figure spectates in what seems to be a mix of fear and astonishment, with one hand raised to his face as if in shock or to obscure his view. The inclusion of this third character adds to the dramatic tension of the scene.
The use of lighting and shadow is striking, emphasizing the ghostly apparition that confronts Saul. The artist’s skillful use of chiaroscuro not only highlights the ghost but also conveys the psychological torment Saul experiences at witnessing the result of his forbidden action: soliciting the wisdom of the dead prophet Samuel. Benjamin West’s ability to encapsulate this deeply emotional and spiritual story from the Bible within a single scene reflects the neoclassical pursuit of thematic grandeur and moral narratives through art.