Uitdrijving van de duivel door de heilige Dominicus 1611

This engraving of the exorcism of the devil by Saint Dominic was created by Theodoor Galle in the late 16th or early 17th century. The image depicts a scene filled with charged religious and gender dynamics. The narrative shows Saint Dominic casting out a demon, revealed in the form of a cat, from a group of women. During this period, the image of women was often associated with vulnerability to evil influences. The emotionality displayed by the women, combined with the presence of the cat, speaks to a cultural anxiety about female spirituality and autonomy. The choice to depict the demon as a cat taps into the superstitions of the time, where animals, especially cats, were often linked to witchcraft and the occult. The artist uses this imagery to both demonize and sexualize the women. Note how the artist invites us to consider the power dynamics at play, and how those in positions of religious authority can influence cultural perceptions of gender and morality.