The Revelation of Truth (The Four Witches)

This Dürer print is currently known as the Four Witches because the animal in the lower-left has been misinterpreted as a devil, leading many to believe the four naked women depicted are witches. However, historical evidence contradicts this assessment.

Historical Context

At the time of this print's creation in 1497, iconography in medieval art had to be instantly recognizable to the target audience. Portraying witches naked would have been highly unusual for the period. The true intent behind the work lies in a deeper, more symbolic interpretation—The Revelation of Truth.

The symbolism associated with the upright "H" bar, often traced back to Hartmann Schedel's illustrations, reveals a structured hidden message that scholars are only beginning to decode.