Colonel William Leete Stone

About this work

This painting shows a man in a dark coat and white cravat, sitting at a desk. He’s writing with a feather quill on a piece of paper, his left hand resting on the desk. The background is plain and dark, focusing all attention on his face and hands. Notice the way the light hits his face, making his skin look smooth while the shadows deepen his features. The artist used this contrast to make him stand out. If you like this style, look up chiaroscuro next.