The Sibyl Delphica

About this work

This print shows a robed woman sitting on a stone ledge, holding a scroll. Behind her, a smaller figure leans in, looking over her shoulder. The woman’s face is calm, her hands steady, while the folds of her cloak and the shadows on her body create a sense of depth. The artist used strong contrasts between light and dark to make the figures pop. Notice how the light hits her face and hands, while the rest stays in shadow—this was a common trick in prints of the time. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this technique worked in other art.