The Weird Sisters (Study for 'Macbeth')
Painting on canvas (reproduced in print/book format) • Henry Fuseli (Johann Heinrich Füssli)
Style & Movement
Romanticism / Proto-Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; technique involves high-contrast chiaroscuro, blurred brushwork to simulate movement/wind, and dramatic glazing.
Creation Period
circa 1783
Dimensions & Format
The original painting is approximately 65 x 90 cm; the format is a vertical portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A depiction of one of the Three Witches from Shakespeare's Macbeth. The figure is shown in a dramatic, wide-eyed pose with theatrical headwear and pointed gestures, set against a dark, stormy, and supernatural atmosphere. It embodies the Gothic 'Sublime' through terror and the supernatural.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (as a reproduction). The original painting has natural age-related craquelure.
Estimated Market Value
$500,000 - $1,200,000 (Original painting value reference)
Auction Estimate
$400,000 - $800,000 (Original painting value reference)
Provenance History
The primary versions of this theme are held by the Kunsthaus Zürich and the Royal Shakespeare Company. This specific image appears to be a plate from a specialized art book or exhibition catalog based on the spiral binding and paper texture.
Art Historical Significance
Fuseli was a pioneer in depicting the 'dark' side of the human psyche and literary hauntings. His 'Weird Sisters' transitioned Shakespearean theater from literal stagecraft into psychological, atmospheric fine art, influencing the development of the Gothic movement.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the 'Fuselian stare'—exaggerated, wide eyes—and the highly stylized, almost mannerist elongation of the fingers and hands used to convey mystical intent.
Condition Issues
The original shows bituminous darkening and fine cracking typical of 18th-century oils. The provided image shows slight color saturation loss due to book reproduction quality.
Conservation Recommendations
For the original: UV-filtered glass, climate-controlled environment (50% RH), and monitoring for paint film stability. For the book: Keep in a dry, dark place to avoid paper yellowing.