Cărturăreasa

About this work

This painting shows a woman sitting on a stool in a dimly lit room. She’s wearing a striped dress with a red sash and a matching headscarf. In front of her is a table covered with playing cards, a hat, and a few other small objects. Behind her, a half-finished painting leans against the wall, and a figure stands near it, holding a brush. The brushstrokes are thick and textured, giving the painting a rough, almost handmade feel. This style is called *impasto*—where paint is laid on thickly so you can almost see the strokes. Look up technique: impasto next to see more examples.