Witch at the Sabbath Fire

A lone figure in a long black robe and wide-brimmed hat stands on a grassy plain, staff in hand, extending her palm toward a blazing bonfire. Thick black smoke surges upward, filling the sky and blending with heavy clouds that catch the last light of day. The witch’s posture suggests both invitation and command, her silhouette sharpened by the flames behind her. The composition balances the dark figure on the left against the vivid, turbulent fire on the right. Orange and yellow flames illuminate the scene from below while cool gray clouds press down from above, creating strong chiaroscuro. The palette is restricted to deep blacks, smoldering oranges, and muted sky tones, heightening the ritual atmosphere. Painted with the loose yet precise handling associated with Eric Fischl, the image conveys quiet intensity and mythic presence rather than theatrical spectacle.