The Martyrdom of Saint Lucy
1614
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1614
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This print is packed with swirling figures in a dramatic scene. A woman in the center, dressed in flowing robes, reaches upward as if in pain. Around her, other people—some kneeling, some pointing—fill the space, their expressions intense. At the top, a muscular man stands on a pedestal, holding a spear. The artist used deep shadows and bold contrasts to make the figures pop from the page. The lines are thick and busy, creating a sense of movement and chaos. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this technique works.
