Woman Playing a Lute
1700
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
1700
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
The painting depicts a woman seated in a chair, playing a lute. She wears a white dress with puffy sleeves and a low neckline, and her dark hair is pulled back. The woman is positioned in profile, facing right, with her head turned slightly towards the viewer. In the foreground, a table or desk is visible to the right of the woman, with a few objects on it that are not clearly discernible. The background of the painting is a muted brown color, which helps to focus attention on the woman and her instrument. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye to the woman's face and hands. To learn more about the technique of chiaroscuro, look up the term.
