Creusa Carrying the Gods of Troy
1635
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1635
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a woman in flowing robes, her head tilted back as if straining to look upward. Her hair is loose, and her arms are wrapped around something heavy, like she’s carrying a burden. The lines are loose and expressive, with quick strokes that make the fabric ripple. The background is plain, keeping all the focus on her struggle. The artist used black and white chalk on blue paper, which makes the figure stand out against the cool tone. Next, look up Baroque to see how this style’s drama fits into bigger trends.