Aside from having an unfortunate middle name, Hans Baldung Grien was a 15th century German painter, printmaker, designer and draftsmen who liked to paint religious scenes (of course), eventually graduating to his real passion- naked witches. He was probably a pretty messed up guy. He seemed obsessed with carnal lust and believed it contributed to the fall of man- but also couldn't stop painting naked chicks.
Obviously conflicted by his own desires, his pieces are jarring scenes of often lurid eroticism, spiked with highly disturbed, horrifying religious imagery. Skeletons sexually assaulting women, Adam feeling up Eve, suggestive serpents- these are just some of the wondrous scenes to behold. A student of famous painter Albrecht Durer, he is most famous for his thrilling and painstakingly detailed woodcuts and prints. Two Witches (the featured painting) is one of his best painted works- the flesh of the women is lush and rich.
He also liked to draw horses fighting each other.
(click on images to enlarge)
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