José Moreno Carbonero - The Conversion of the Duke of Gandia [1884]

José Moreno Carbonero - The Conversion of the Duke of Gandia [1884], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

The contemplation of the corpse of the Empress Elizabeth of Portugal, wife of Charles V, produced a profoundly chilling effect on Francis Borgia, Duke of Gandia, who collapses against one of his knights. The melodramatic vision with which the painter approached the scene is reinforced by the attitudes of other characters, as the desolate lady covers her face with her hands. The whiteness of the coffin, burial clothes and coffin capture the light entering from the left, leaving the background darkened. 

[Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid - Oil on canvas, 315 x 500 cm]