Hătmăneasa Maria Cantacuzino
unspecified
From the collection of National Museum of Art of Romania
unspecified
From the collection of National Museum of Art of Romania
This painting shows a woman sitting still, dressed in rich fabrics. Her dark fur collar contrasts with a light, embroidered bodice. A red headpiece sits on her dark hair, and her hands hold a folded cloth. The background is blurry, focusing all attention on her. The gold leaf patterns on her sleeves and skirt catch the light, making them stand out. The way the light hits her face and clothes suggests the artist paid close attention to how shadows and highlights work together. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works in other paintings.
