Portrait of Joséphine de Beauharnais, Empress of the French
1806
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1806
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This painting shows a woman with dark hair and a fancy crown of pearls and jewels. She’s wearing a pale, sleeveless dress with beading and ruffles, and her dark background makes her face stand out. The frame is gold with swirling patterns, like a fancy mirror. Her skin looks soft, with gentle shadows on her cheeks and neck. The artist used light and dark to give her a smooth, almost glowing look. Next, check out *chiaroscuro* to see how this lighting trick works.
