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Ariadne on Naxos

Unknown

1750

From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst

Dominant colour

Ariadne on Naxos is a 1750 by Unknown, held at Statens Museum for Kunst.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1750
Where can I see it?: Statens Museum for Kunst

About this work

This black-and-white photo shows a busy scene with lots of people. A woman in the center stands out—she’s holding a torch and looks calm. Around her, others are in motion: some fly, some kneel, and one man lies on the ground. The background is dark, making the figures pop. The woman’s pose and the chaos around her suggest she’s in charge. The lighting creates strong shadows, which makes the scene feel dramatic. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works.