Hidden Treasures 1949

Edward Runci’s, Hidden Treasures, probably painted with oils, feels like it's lit from within. I can imagine Runci, leaning into the canvas, carefully building up the luminous quality of the woman's skin and the soft glow of the candle. The paint handling is so delicate, especially in the way he suggests the silky textures and the subtle shifts in light. Look at the smear of cadmium red on the lips that mimics the flush in the woman's cheeks. I wonder if Runci was thinking about the Old Masters when he made this. There's something about the theatrical lighting and the sensuousness of the scene that reminds me of Baroque painting. It’s a beautiful moment. I guess every artist, in a way, is looking for their hidden treasure.