The artwork titled “The same God so that he obtained of the Magus was by demons be pulled in pieces” is an engraving on paper by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, a prominent artist of the Northern Renaissance known for his detailed landscapes and peasant scenes imbued with complex allegories. This particular piece is an allegorical painting that falls within the genre of Northern Renaissance art, a cultural movement that emphasized naturalism and detail.
In the engraving, we observe a chaotic and nightmarish scene filled with an array of monstrous figures and demons engaging in what appears to be a violent act against a central figure who is being pulled apart. This tumultuous imagery is rich in detail and symbolic meaning, presenting viewers with a visual exploration of moral themes and the consequences of dealing with malign forces.
To the right, a group of onlookers, possibly representing the moral and righteous, are separated from the violent scene by an architectural barrier, suggesting a division between good and evil or the innocent and the corrupted. The complexity of the scene, vigorous activity, and the overwhelming number of figures reflect Bruegel’s skill in capturing allegorical narratives and his critique on human folly and the darker aspects of the society of his time. The image is dated, indicating its creation in 1555, and is marked with Bruegel’s name, affirming its origin from this master artist.