Even demons require a moment.

Belphégor, associated with sloth and inventive idleness, appears here in one of the most unexpectedly human poses in nineteenth-century gothic illustration. In the 1863 edition of Dictionnaire Infernal, French illustrator Louis Le Breton renders him mid-contemplation — seated, hunched, and entirely committed to the task at hand. A historic example of 19th century French demonology illustration.

Absurd? Certainly. Symbolic? Undeniably. The engraving turns private necessity into academic allegory, balancing Victorian seriousness with a quietly modern sense of irony.

Design Perspective

• Authentic 19th century French engraving aesthetic
• Victorian gothic illustration with deadpan academic humor
• Minimal black-and-white statement art
• Ideal for museum-inspired interiors with a subtle wink

Placement Ideas

• Powder rooms with personality
• Studies familiar with procrastination
• Guest bathrooms deserving elevated irony
• Any room where conversation is encouraged

Part of the Dictionnaire Infernal 1863 Collection by Geekists — a curated series of French gothic engravings reinterpreted for contemporary interiors.