A Lady Seen from Behind
1705
oil
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1705
oil
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting shows a woman from behind, wearing a long black dress and a matching hat. Her head is turned slightly to the right, and she's holding a red object in her left hand. The woman's dress is dark, and her hat covers most of her hair. The background is a solid brown color, which makes the woman stand out. The painting is done in oil paint, which gives it a smooth look. The artist used chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume in the painting. If you're interested in learning more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.