Portrait of a Lady in profile 

Carel Fabritius, a Dutch Golden Age painter known for his innovative use of light and shadow, created this striking profile portrait of a woman. The sitter, whose identity is unknown, is adorned with elaborate attire, including a black cap with a feather, and a pearl-encrusted earring. The painting's dramatic use of chiaroscuro, a technique where strong contrasts of light and dark are used to create depth, highlights the woman's delicate features. Fabritius, a pupil of Rembrandt, tragically died young, leaving behind a relatively small body of work that is highly valued for its masterful realism and technical brilliance.