La Befana
1821
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1821
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a busy street scene with a crowd of people. At the center, a woman in old-fashioned clothes sits on a donkey, holding a broom. Around her, kids reach up, and adults stand watching. Behind her, shelves are packed with round treats—like giant cookies—and a tall garland hangs on the wall. The woman looks like a folk tale character, often linked to gift-giving in Italy. The artist used lines to create shadows and texture, making everything look like it’s carved into the page. Next, check out how this artist used etching to make such detailed marks.
