The artwork titled “Payment of Taxes” is a creation by Georges de La Tour circa 1620. This piece is an oil on canvas genre painting, exemplifying the Tenebrism movement in art, which is characterized by dramatic illumination and stark contrasts between light and dark. The dimensions of the artwork are substantial, measuring 152 by 99 centimeters. Presently, it is housed at the Lviv National Art Gallery, located in Lviv, Ukraine, where it is part of their prestigious collection.
In the artwork, a group of figures gather closely around a table. The scene is dramatically lit by a single, stark light source, casting deep shadows and creating a profound sense of volume and space. This light appears to emanate from a candle or lantern out of view, highlighted by the reflective surfaces and illuminating select portions of the figures and objects. The characters in the scene are engaged in an exchange, with a distinct focus on the act of counting or exchanging money. Their expressions and the intense focus on their hands and the objects they manipulate suggest a moment captured in time, one that emphasizes the gravity and concentration of the transaction at hand. The use of light and shadow not only imbues the scene with emotional weight but also guides the viewer’s gaze through the composition, emphasizing the narrative moment encapsulated in this painting.
