Cato the Younger's Death
1650
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
1650
From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst
This painting shows a naked man lying down, his body turned slightly toward us. His skin looks warm and sunlit, while the background stays dark. One arm rests across his chest, and his face has a serious, almost sad expression. The contrast between light and dark helps the man’s body stand out sharply. The brushstrokes on his skin are thick in some spots, giving it texture. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how this lighting trick works.
