The Second of the Foolish Virgins
1490
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1490
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This drawing shows a woman in a long, flowing robe holding a lit lamp in one hand and adjusting her dress with the other. Her hair is neatly covered, and she stands on a small platform with a wreath at the bottom. The lines are precise, and the shading creates a sense of volume in her clothing. The lamp she holds is nearly out of oil, which ties to the story of the "foolish virgins" from the Bible—waiting too long for something important. This was a common theme in religious art of the time. If you like this style, look up chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create depth in art.
