Woman with a Taper
1873
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
1873
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
This painting shows a woman standing in front of a stone wall, holding a lit candle in her right hand. She is wearing a dark dress with a white lace collar and a headscarf. The woman's face is turned to the left, and her eyes are cast downward. The woman's attire and the setting suggest a religious context. The candle she holds is a significant element in the composition, drawing attention to her contemplative pose. To learn more about the artist's use of light and shadow, explore the technique of chiaroscuro.
