Standing Woman in Turkish Costume c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Claude Gillot's "Standing Woman in Turkish Costume". I'm struck by the monochromatic color scheme and how the composition seems to emphasize the lines of her garment. What do you make of the formal qualities of this piece? Curator: Notice how Gillot utilizes the sepia wash to model the figure, paying close attention to the fall of light and shadow. Consider, too, the use of line. The figure is clearly delineated against the more loosely rendered architectural background. Does this create a sense of depth, or perhaps something else? Editor: I see it now! It flattens the space, almost like a stage set. It's interesting how the figure and setting interact, or maybe *don't* interact. I definitely learned a new way to analyze drawings. Curator: Indeed, the formal elements invite us to consider the depicted subject as a constructed image, rather than a straightforward representation. A valuable observation!