A Lady Seen in Profile, Holding a Fan
1705
oil
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1705
oil
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This painting depicts a woman in profile, holding a fan. She is dressed in a long, dark dress with a white shawl draped over her left shoulder. The background of the painting is a muted brown color. The woman's face is turned to the right, and her features are softly rendered. Her dark hair is pulled back, and she wears a small hat or headpiece. The fan she holds is open, with intricate designs visible on its surface. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye to the woman's face and the fan she holds. To learn more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
