Minerva and the Muses
1610
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1610
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows a group of women in a forest setting. One woman sits in the center playing a lute, dressed in a red robe. Around her, other women hold instruments or stand in relaxed poses. The background has trees and a faint sky, while the women’s skin and drapery are softly colored. Notice how the artist used light colors and delicate strokes to create a dreamy, almost glowing effect. This is a watercolor technique that builds up layers of color slowly. Check out watercolor, glazing to see how artists create depth with translucent layers.
