Ariadne
1864
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1864
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A woman stands alone, draped in a flowing golden robe that clings to her body. Her left hand rests on her chest, fingers curled around a small white object. A wreath of flowers sits on her head, and her hair spills loose around her shoulders. The background is plain, letting her figure fill the space. The soft, blended colors and gentle strokes give the painting a dreamy feel. The artist used layers of watercolor to build up light and shadow, making the fabric look almost alive. Try looking up *glazing* to see how artists create depth with thin, transparent paint layers.