Queen Catherine of Portugal and St. Catherine of Alexandria
1555
oil
From the collection of National Museum of Ancient Art
1555
oil
From the collection of National Museum of Ancient Art
This painting depicts two women, one dressed in a red robe and the other in a black dress. The woman in red has her right hand raised, holding a green cloth, while the woman in black stands with her hands clasped together in front of her. The woman in red appears to be a saint, as indicated by the halo above her head. The woman in black is shown with a more subdued expression, her hands clasped together in a gesture of devotion. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of depth and contrast between the two figures. The artist's use of light and shadow adds a sense of drama to the scene, drawing the viewer's attention to the central figures. To learn more about the artist's technique, look up chiaroscuro.
