Adam Friedrich Oeser (1717-1799), Saul with the Witch of Endor

The unusual story depicted here is told in the Bible in the first book of Samuel (1 Sam 28). Saul, the first king of Israel, waged war against the Philistines and sought advice on how to defeat them. Because Yahweh did not answer him, he turned to a necromancer. He visits this woman in Endor with two companions. She conjures up the spirit of the prophet Samuel and reveals to Saul that God has turned away from him. Israel will lose the battle against the Philistines and he will lose his life and David will become king. The desperate Saul throws himself to the ground. This moment was captured by Oeser in his painting. The witch of Endor stands in a trance in the cave with her arms outstretched and her head bowed, holding the torch in her right hand. One of Saul's companions has bent over the man who has fallen to the ground to help him up. The other companion stands terrified behind the witch and points to Saul lying on the ground. Another version of the painting by Adam Friedrich Oeser is located in Leipzig and is dated 1767 (Stadtgeschichtliches Museum, canvas, 128 × 96.5 cm). Oil on canvas 128.5 x 95.5 cm.