Carolina Raicu
1869
From the collection of Brukenthal National Museum
1869
From the collection of Brukenthal National Museum
This painting shows a woman with dark hair pulled back, wearing a black dress with a high-necked lace collar and large pearl earrings. Her gaze is steady and direct, and the background is a plain, dark brown that keeps the focus on her face. The lighting highlights her skin and jewelry, making them stand out. The artist used soft shading to create depth in her face, especially around the eyes and cheeks. This technique makes her look three-dimensional. Look up chiaroscuro to learn more about how this effect works.