Portrait of a Couple in the Guise of Angelica and Medoro
1795
watercolor
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1795
watercolor
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This tiny painting shows two people dressed like ancient Romans, but with a twist—they’re wearing red capes and looking serious. The man has curly hair and a bare chest, while the woman next to him has soft curls and a pale face. The background is just a plain, faded gray, so all the focus stays on them. The painting is done on ivory, which makes it look delicate and rare. The colors are soft, with lots of white and light reds, giving it a gentle feel. If you like this style, check out watercolor, glazing next to see how artists built up colors like this.
