Woman Catching a Flea 1638

"Woman Catching a Flea" is a 1638 oil painting by Georges de la Tour, a French Baroque artist known for his use of chiaroscuro. The painting depicts a young woman, illuminated by a single candle, as she reaches towards her chest, seemingly catching a flea. De la Tour's masterful use of light and shadow creates a dramatic and intimate scene, highlighting the woman's form and the delicate gesture of her hand. The simplicity of the composition, with the woman as the focal point against a dark background, further emphasizes the subject's vulnerability and introspection. The painting exemplifies de la Tour's signature style of "tenebrism" and reflects the popular theme of everyday life in 17th-century art.