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Mary Praying, by Unknown, 1654

Mary Praying

Unknown

1654

From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst

Dominant colour

Overview

Mary Praying is a 1654 by Unknown, held at Statens Museum for Kunst.

Who painted this?
Unknown
When & what style?
1654
Where can I see it?
Statens Museum for Kunst

About this work

This black-and-white photo shows a woman with a serious expression, her hands clasped in prayer. She wears a loose head covering and a simple garment, with one hand resting on her chest. The lighting is dramatic, with deep shadows on her face and a bright highlight on her forehead. The photo’s strong contrast between light and dark makes her face stand out sharply. This effect is called *chiaroscuro*—a technique that uses bold shadows and light to create depth. Look up chiaroscuro to see how artists used it long before cameras.

About the artist

More by Unknown

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