Picturing the Occult: Demons, Devils, and Witches
May 28 – September 18, 2022

Since the beginning of our evolution, human beings have believed in the supernatural. Ancient humans, unable to rationally explain and measure certain phenomena, began to believe in hidden agents to understand the world around them. Eventually, these beliefs evolved to include entities like gods and goddesses, spirits, demons, angels, monsters, and witches, all of which could impose their will on the world.

Today, we call such things “occult,” which, in its broadest sense, refers to anything that is unknown. The word comes from the Latin occultus, meaning clandestine, hidden, or secret. In its modern iteration, occult practices center on harnessing these hidden powers and bending the laws of nature to benefit oneself. These practices encompass several disciplines; including magic, spirituality, alchemy, astrology, and divination, all of which are considered pseudosciences today.

Picturing the Occult will take viewers on a mystical journey through the supernatural. This exhibition will explore the roots of these practices through their depictions in works on paper throughout history, including manuscript pages, etchings, and engravings, all taken from The Museum’s permanent collection.