Old Woman Examining a Coin by a Lantern 1623

Gerard van Honthorst's "Old Woman Examining a Coin by a Lantern" (1623) is a masterful example of chiaroscuro, a technique that utilizes strong contrasts between light and dark to create a dramatic effect. The painting's subject, an elderly woman, is bathed in the warm glow of a lantern, while the surrounding space is cast in deep shadows. The focus on her face, illuminated by the lantern's light, emphasizes her focused expression as she scrutinizes the coin. This painting embodies the Dutch Golden Age's fascination with everyday life and the beauty of the mundane.