The Witches

This woodcut is one of the more famous works by Hans Baldung Grien, created after he relocated to Strasbourg from Nuremberg, where he had previously worked with Albrecht Dürer. While Hans Burgkmair is acknowledged for originating the chiaroscuro woodcut technique as used in this image, Baldung was an early adopter who utilized it to great effect.

This image was originally in one of two tones. In some editions of this print, a grey tone is used to produce a feeling of night-time eeriness and in others a yellow tone is applied, giving the image a sinister illumination as the three witches are depicted around a bubbling cauldron. The strategic use of white highlights creates a three-dimensional effect, adding depth to the figures, a barren tree, and the rising steam, enhancing their ascent into the night sky.

In this reproduction a balance of the two original tones has been used.

Reproduction Details

Edition - Combined grey and yellow editions
Medium - Museum quality A3 print on Hahnemühle Matt Etching 285GSM paper
Production -  Giclée print produced at a Platinum Hahnemühle-certified studio
Price - £60