The Shade of the Prophet Samuel Invoked by King Saul and Conjured by the Witch of Endor 1690 - 1700

"The Shade of the Prophet Samuel Invoked by King Saul and Conjured by the Witch of Endor," a red chalk drawing by French artist Antoine Coypel, depicts a scene from the biblical story of King Saul consulting the Witch of Endor. The drawing is a preparatory study for a larger composition, and it captures the dramatic moment when the spirit of Samuel appears before Saul, who is shown kneeling in despair. The witch, with a torch in one hand, stands beside a table and gestures towards the apparition of Samuel, whose spectral form is visible through the mists. The drawing is notable for its strong sense of movement and drama, as well as its expressive use of line.