The Oyster Woman
1769
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1769
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a woman in a dark hooded cloak, sitting at a table. She’s opening oysters with her hands, placing them on a plate. Behind her is a tall lantern and a bottle, and the background is mostly black. The title says *The Oyster Woman*, and it’s a printed image, not a painting. The lighting is sharp, with strong contrasts between light and dark. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this dramatic lighting works.
