Pomposa Abbey, Codigoro, Italy, 14th century fresco
There have been countless paintings, drawings, mosaics, tapestries, frescoes, etc. throughout history that depict similar themes. They were meant to scare and subdue hoi polloi.
I studied the heresy and witchcraft persecutions of the 14th through 17th centuries in Europe. What some people can come up with to justify their sadism and lust for power and greed and revenge!