Twilight of the Gods, Act III: Sigfried and the Rhine Maidens
1886
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1886
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This sketch shows two figures in a dim, shadowy space. One person is bent over, holding something like a staff, while the other stands with their back turned, arms raised. The lines are rough and the tones are mostly dark, with a few lighter patches to suggest fabric or skin. The artist used deep contrasts between light and dark to create a moody, almost dramatic feel. This style is called chiaroscuro. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and shadow to shape images.
