Saint Catherine of Siena Exorcising a Possessed Woman

Saint Catherine of Siena Exorcising a Possessed Woman

Demonic Possession

This sixteenth-century French engraving depicts St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) performing an exorcism of a female demoniac. The image most likely comes from an illustrated bibliography of the St. CatherineÍs life and miracles. Men performed most exorcisms, but CatherineÍs holiness qualified her for this role. Catherine is identified by her halo. The female demoniac is sprawled in the foreground of the engraving. Her mouth is open as if howling in agony. Her outstretched arms and crossed legs put he body in the shape of Christ's during his crucifixion. The male behind the demoniac is not retraining her but propping up her head, was possibly in prayer, which makes him more of an observer than a participant. Two, small, black winged demon with bulbous bodies and clawed feet are escaping the scene in the left center of the background. This image of demonic possession comes from The Devil Within: Possession and Exorcism in the Christian West by Brian P. Levack

French School

Bibliotheque Nationale

The Devil Within: Possession and Exorcism in the Christian West Yale University Press

17th century

Brian P. Levack

http://www.bnf.fr/fr/outils/a.credits.html

http://www.bnf.fr/en/tools/a.welcome_to_the_bnf.html

Engraving

French

Still Image

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