Dulle Griet (Mad Meg) 1645

David Teniers the Younger painted this vivid scene on canvas using oil paints sometime in the 17th century. Oil paint lends itself well to this chaotic scene, allowing the artist to capture the textures and shadows of the underworld, creating an almost palpable sense of unease. Teniers applied the paint in layers, building up the composition from dark undertones to brighter highlights. This technique, combined with the fluidity of the oil medium, allows for seamless blending and subtle gradations of tone, enhancing the nightmarish quality of the subject. Note the range of colors, from the browns and blacks of the cavern to the reds and yellows of the fires. The artist has created a scene that seems to teem with life, yet is also undeniably morbid. Ultimately, it is the artist's mastery of his materials, and his application of them to a memorable scene that makes this painting so striking. It bridges the gap between the realm of fine art, folklore, and the collective imagination.