Artwork
Woman Consulting a Book
Woman Consulting a Book is a watercolor print by the Baroque artist Giovanni Francesco Costa. It dates from 1747 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Woman Consulting a Book is an etching by Giovanni Francesco Costa, created around 1747. The work is a hand-colored print on laid paper, combining etching with watercolor and gouache.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a woman in 18th-century clothing seated at a table, surrounded by books and papers, engaged in reading or study. The quiet, contemplative atmosphere is enhanced by soft lighting and muted tones.
Technique & Style
The use of watercolor and gouache to hand-color the etching adds depth and texture, highlighting the subject's face and the room's ornate details. The techniques employed are characteristic of the period, although not exclusively tied to the Baroque movement.
Artist & collection
