Duivelsfiguur 1821

David-Pierre Giottino Humbert de Superville created this black chalk drawing of a devil figure during the late 18th or early 19th century. In a period marked by shifting social structures and nascent romanticism, Humbert de Superville delves into the realm of the diabolical, a space that served as a potent symbol for societal anxieties and repressed desires. With horns and a muscular physique, the devil challenges traditional religious narratives, resonating with the era’s quest to redefine the boundaries of morality and spirituality. Notice how the artist plays with light and shadow to accentuate the figure’s raw power and vulnerability. The devil is burdened, perhaps even defeated, standing on what appears to be a broken tree branch, while carrying an oar over his shoulder. The drawing encapsulates the turbulence of an era grappling with enlightenment ideals, societal upheaval, and the search for new modes of expression.