The Devil's Kitchen Visited by an Angel 1638 - 1689

Conrad Meyer made this pen and gray ink drawing, "The Devil's Kitchen Visited by an Angel," sometime in the 17th century. The texture of the drawing comes entirely from Meyer's skilled hand and a quill; he had no recourse to mechanical means. The entire composition relies on the stark contrast of ink on paper, producing a sense of dramatic tension. The linear quality of the lines, combined with the monochrome palette, creates a somewhat graphic feel, heightening the surreal nature of the scene. The devil's kitchen conjures themes of alchemy, transformation, and labor. Note the skeleton, for example, who is stoking the fire, emphasizing that death is the great leveler, where all work toward the same inescapable end. With its strange cast of characters and eerie atmosphere, Meyer's drawing offers a glimpse into the artist's social and moral imagination. It reminds us that even seemingly simple materials, like ink and paper, can carry profound meaning and reveal much about the cultural values of their time.