Macbeth en Banquo ontmoeten de drie heksen 1825 - 1883

This etching, “Macbeth en Banquo ontmoeten de drie heksen” was created by Theodoor Schaepkens. It shows a scene dominated by swirling lines and dramatic contrasts, evoking a sense of chaos and the supernatural. Schaepkens uses dense cross-hatching to build up dark tones, creating a dramatic scene. This is contrasted by areas of stark white, which heighten the sense of unease. The figures of Macbeth and Banquo on horseback are rendered with expressive lines, emphasizing their movement and the tension of the moment. Above them, the witches emerge from the mist. The composition, with its dynamic lines and stark contrasts, destabilizes the traditional heroic narrative. The witches, central to the drama, challenge fixed meanings, as they embody both prophecy and disruption, inviting us to question the nature of fate and the boundaries of human ambition. As such, this work is not simply an illustration, but a visual interpretation of the play's themes, captured through the language of line and shadow.