The Exorcism of Madeleine Bavent in 1643

The Exorcism of Madeleine Bavent in 1643

Demonic Possession

This image, from The Devil Within: Possession and Exorcism in the Christian West by Brian P. Levack, shows the exorcism of Madeleine Bavent in 1634. Madeleine Bavent was the first nun to be exorcised at Louviers, Bavent was subsequently accused of witchcraft, apostasy, sacrilege, and of having lewdly prostituted her body to demons and warlocks at the witches Sabbath. This female demoniac exorcised in the seventeenth century is shown in a devotional despite her unholy behavior. Her arms are outstretched like Christ on the cross. Her head and eye are tiled back as if serenely looking to heaven. The priest preforming the exorcism looks sternly down at Bavent while holding her wrist. Other nuns are in the audience as well as bearded male figures and a small altar boy in the foreground. The stark sketch of a demon walks on air in the stark background above the figures.

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The Devil Within: Possession and Exorcism in the Christian West

Yale University Press

unknown, after 1643, 17th century

Brian P. Levack

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Still Image

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