Marianne Reclining on a Chaise

Oil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches (31 x 31 cm)

There is a natural tendency that a person will turn her face away from a strong light to shield the eyes, but this is an unfortunate instinct for the artist trying to paint a portrait . Marianne here has an interesting face with prominent cheekbones and a clear jawline, but it was almost entirely cast in shadow.