Turun palo
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From the collection of Finnish National Gallery
unspecified
From the collection of Finnish National Gallery
This painting shows a single figure in bright red standing on rocky ground, holding a torch high. The flame casts a wild glow over the scene, lighting up dark clouds and a distant town. In the background, smaller figures watch from buildings or crouch near the shore. The torchlight makes everything look dramatic, with sharp contrasts between light and shadow. The artist used thick paint to build up the fire’s glow and the figure’s bold colors. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works in other paintings.
