Illustrated book of demons

Asmodeus, a King of Demons from the Dictionaire Infernal
Louis Le Breton [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Jacques Collin de Plancy’s 1818 book Dictionnaire Infernal contained a list of demons, part of a long tradition of grimoires and demonology texts like the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577) and the Lesser Key of Solomon (mid-17th century).

Alongside some well-known demons – Astaroth, Belphegor, Mammon, and Lucifer – the infernal dictionary included Wall (the camel demon!), Furfur (the deer demon!), and Leonard (the party demon!).

What made this text stand out were the illustrations: the 1863 edition contained pictures of Behemoth (a bipedal elephant):

Behemoth
Louis Le Breton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Moloch (a cow-headed king):

Moloch
Louis Le Breton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Bael (a spider with the head of a man, a frog, and a cat):

Bael
Louis Le Breton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

… and sixty-six others.

 

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