Woman with Candle
1920
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1920
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This is a black-and-white drawing of a woman’s face and shoulders. She’s holding a lit candle close to her mouth, like she’s about to blow it out. Her hair is pulled back, and she’s wearing a collar that looks stiff. The lines are bold, almost like they were carved or scratched into the paper. The candle is the only light source, making her face stand out sharply against the dark background. The artist used strong contrasts between light and shadow to give the image a dramatic feel. If you like this style, check out chiaroscuro next—it’s the technique of using light and dark to create depth.
