Cadmus and the Dead Dragon
1682
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
Dominant colour
1682
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
Dominant colour
Cadmus and the Dead Dragon is a 1682 by Unknown, held at Statens Museum for Kunst.
This black-and-white photo shows a dramatic scene of two figures in ancient-style clothing. One man stands shirtless, arms outstretched, while a woman floats above him holding a cloak. Below them lies a coiled dragon, its head turned toward the man. The background looks like stormy clouds and jagged rocks, making the figures stand out sharply. The strong contrast between light and dark helps the figures pop against the dark background. This style is called *chiaroscuro*—a technique that uses deep shadows and bright highlights to create drama. Check out how artists used chiaroscuro to make their work feel more intense.
