Denis Talon
1656
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1656
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with curly hair and a serious expression. He’s wearing a dark, buttoned jacket over a white collar, and his hands rest near his chest. The background is plain, but the edges of the frame are decorated with swirls, leaves, and a crest at the top. The artist used fine lines to show the folds in his clothing and the texture of his hair. The lighting is soft, keeping the face clear while letting the background fade away. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works.
