Henry Fuseli (Swiss, 1741–1825) – The Night-Hag Visiting Lapland Witches Metropolitan Museum: part 2

The composition presents a nocturnal scene steeped in unsettling ambiguity and folkloric imagery. A central female figure dominates the foreground; her form is partially obscured by voluminous drapery that cascades around her like dark wings. Her gaze is directed upwards, towards an ethereal light source emanating from the upper center of the canvas. This upward glance suggests both apprehension and perhaps a perverse fascination with what lies beyond.
Below this figure rests a sleeping child upon a rudimentary wooden structure. The infant’s vulnerability is emphasized by their exposed skin and relaxed posture, creating a stark contrast to the looming presence above. A palpable sense of threat hangs over the scene; the childs innocence seems precarious in the face of the encroaching darkness.
To the right of the central figure stands another individual, partially shrouded in shadow. This person appears to be observing the scene with an expression that is difficult to decipher – a mixture of curiosity and perhaps complicity. They hold what looks like a ceremonial object, its pointed form drawing the eye and contributing to the overall feeling of ritualistic activity.
The background is rendered in deep, murky tones, punctuated by flashes of light that suggest a landscape both desolate and otherworldly. A cluster of indistinct figures can be discerned within this darkness, hinting at a larger group involved in whatever proceedings are taking place. The use of chiaroscuro – the dramatic contrast between light and dark – heightens the sense of mystery and foreboding.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of vulnerability, folklore, and the intrusion of the supernatural into domesticity. It evokes a world where dreams and nightmares intertwine, and where ancient beliefs about witchcraft and nocturnal visitations hold sway. The depiction of the child suggests anxieties surrounding innocence and protection in a realm governed by unseen forces. The scene’s ambiguity allows for multiple interpretations; it could be read as a cautionary tale about the dangers lurking beyond the familiar, or as an exploration of the darker aspects of human imagination and belief.