Saint Barbara
1868
tempera
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1868
tempera
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows a woman in a bright red robe, standing against a dark, cloudy background. She holds a book in one hand and rests the other on her chest. A golden halo glows behind her head, and a faint outline of a building or pillar appears to her right. The artist used soft brushstrokes and blended colors to create a dreamy effect, especially in the sky. The red robe stands out sharply against the muted tones, drawing your eye to her face. Next, look up glazing to see how this technique adds depth to paintings like this one.