The Geographer
1631
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
1631
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
This painting shows a man with a long white beard, wearing a dark robe over a white shirt. He is holding a globe with one hand and a pair of dividers in the other. The globe is on a stand with three legs. The man's face is turned slightly to his left, and his eyes are looking upwards. His hair is gray and unkempt. The background of the painting is dark, which helps the man and the globe stand out. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume in the painting. You can learn more about the technique of chiaroscuro.
