Retzsch's Extraordinary Design of Satan Playing at Chess with Man for his Soul 1837

This 1837 lithograph, "Retzsch's Extraordinary Design of Satan Playing at Chess with Man for his Soul", by John Doyle depicts a scene of a man playing chess with Satan for his soul. This image is part of a series of images that Doyle created based on the work of German artist, Moritz Retzsch. The scene is a popular theme in art and literature, with Satan often portrayed as a formidable and tempting opponent. In this depiction, the man seems deeply troubled, possibly reflecting on his own mortality as the game progresses. This lithograph was published by John Doyle in London and now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.