Portrait of Edmond Cottinet (1824-1895)
1849
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1849
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see a man sitting in a corner, lost in thought, with two bare walls behind him. This portrait is interesting because of its casual approach, with a low shooting angle that creates a sense of intimacy. The subject is isolated, which adds to the feeling of quiet contemplation. To learn more about similar uses of light and shadow, look up the technique of chiaroscuro.
