"Il sabba" (the ) is a term historically used to describe a legendary nocturnal gathering of witches and warlocks, typically depicted as an assembly to worship the Devil and perform magical rites.
: Goya depicts the Devil as a large caprine figure (the Grande Caprone ) officiating over a circle of witches.
: It was viewed by the Church as a ritual of total rejection of the Christian faith. Il sabba
While rooted in folklore and medieval demonology, the concept has evolved significantly through art, history, and modern culture: 1. Historical & Inquisitorial Roots
: Art historians suggest Goya used these dark scenes not to celebrate the occult, but to criticize the superstitions of his time through an Enlightenment lens. 3. Modern Interpretations Today, "Il Sabba" appears in various cultural contexts: "Il sabba" (the ) is a term historically
The most iconic visual representation of this theme is series of paintings, particularly Il Sabba delle Streghe (The Witches' Sabbath), also known as El Aquelarre .
: During the 15th century, the term was often used to demonize marginalized religious groups, such as the fraticelli or other "heretics," by accusing them of participating in these dark assemblies. While rooted in folklore and medieval demonology, the
: Many historical texts describe the Sabbath as a "black mass"—a complete inversion of traditional Christian ceremonies. 2. "Il Sabba" in Art