The Devil’s Images: Dance Scenes in Naïve Paintings

This study explores the work of János Papp, a self-taught artist from Vişea, a village in the Transylvanian Plain, Romania. Known locally as Ördög (the Devil), Papp was renowned for his vivid naïve paintings and his multifaceted role in the community. His artworks depict idyllic village life, combining images of nature, animals, and rural customs. Among his creative legacy are richly illustrated notebooks. This research focuses on his visual representations of traditional village dance scenes. Papp’s paintings are both autobiographical and documentary, reflecting his life experiences and the collective memory of Vişea. His works are distinguished by a detailed, realistic style, yet often reinterpret traditional scenes with symbolic or aesthetic intent. The study highlights how his drawings of dances preserve gestures, costumes, and gender roles typical of past eras. His paintings reveal both historical accuracy and personal stylization, offering unique insights but requiring cautious interpretation in dance scholarship. Through text and image, Papp’s notebooks construct a distinctive self-portrait embedded in local culture. His works reflect influences from falvédők (embroidered wall hangings), merging domestic folk aesthetics with visual storytelling.