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Lady Bug

Frederick W. Freer

1887

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Lady Bug is a 1887 ink by Frederick W. Freer, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Frederick W. Freer
When & what style?: 1887 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This painting depicts a young girl with blonde hair, holding a feather in her right hand. She is dressed in a dark-colored dress with a white collar and a light-colored vest or jacket, which is laced up the front. The background of the painting is dark, which helps to highlight the subject. The girl's expression is serious, and her eyes are cast downward, as if she is intently studying the feather. The overall mood of the painting is one of quiet contemplation. The artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume, adds depth and dimension to the painting. To learn more about the techniques used in this painting, explore the art of etching.