Mathilde Costermans
1874
oil
From the collection of National Gallery of Victoria
1874
oil
From the collection of National Gallery of Victoria
This portrait depicts a woman with dark hair, dressed in a black dress with a white ruffled collar and a brooch. The background is dark, with subtle gradations of tone that suggest depth. The woman's gaze is direct, her expression calm and introspective. The brushwork is smooth, with a focus on capturing the subtleties of light and shadow. If you're interested in learning more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume, you might want to look up Edouard Agneessens.
