La Befana, the Old Woman who Comes down the Chimney at the Feast of the Epiphany to bring Gifts for Young Children 1810

Curator: Here we have Bartolomeo Pinelli’s “La Befana, the Old Woman who Comes down the Chimney at the Feast of the Epiphany to bring Gifts for Young Children.” It's a small etching, only about 15 by 11 centimeters, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My goodness, it has such a strange, eerie atmosphere. The old woman, completely veiled, is sitting on top of what appears to be an oven, holding a sock dangling from a fishing rod, while children below look on with a mix of fascination and fear. Curator: Exactly. Pinelli, who lived from 1781 to 1835, captured a very specific cultural tradition. La Befana is a figure in Italian folklore, similar to Santa Claus, who delivers gifts on the Epiphany. This image reflects how children are both enticed by and wary of the unknown. Editor: I like how the artist used light and shadow to create such a stark contrast between the old woman and the children. It's like she's this mysterious figure emerging from the darkness. It makes you wonder if she’s really a bringer of gifts or something else entirely. Curator: That ambiguity is key, I think. Pinelli plays on the superstitions and anxieties surrounding such figures, while also celebrating the anticipation and excitement they generate within a community. Editor: I still think that the dark mood makes her look a little sinister, but maybe that's part of the fun, isn't it? Curator: Indeed! The image presents the Epiphany as more than just a religious celebration; it's a cultural phenomenon with its own complexities. Editor: Makes you appreciate how every culture has its own spin on things. Curator: Precisely. Pinelli shows us that even gift-giving can have a dark side.