Monk creating gunpowder with the devil behind his back 1603

The knowledge of how to make gunpowder was acquired in Europe sometime in the middle of the 13th century. The recipe for creating gunpowder was spread throughout Europe by universities and courts as well as through church channels. By the 17th century the 'diabolic' effects of gunpowder were well known as this engraving showing a monk making gunpowder with the devil at his back illustrates.

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Mönch mit Instrumenten zur Schießpulverherstellung, in seinem Rücken eine Teufelsfigur, copper engraving, 1603, unknown artist; source: Brantz, Johannes & Boillot, Joseph, Artifices Defeu, et diuers Instruments de guerre, Buch (Bericht der XXIV. bis XLVI. Figur.), Sächsische Landesbibliothek, Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Dresden (SLUB), Signatur/Inventar-Nr.: Milit.B.34, Deutsche Fotothek, Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0).