Glossary Term: Emphasis
Emphasis is one of the principles of art. Artists use emphasis to make certain parts of their artwork stand out and grab your attention. The center of interest or focal point is the place the artist draws your eye to first.

In this painting, "The Letter," Mary Cassatt empasized the envelope by painting it white against the dark patterns of the woman's dress. She also placed the envelope in the center of the painting to draw your eye to it.

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