The Gossips
1927
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1927
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
The Gossips is a 1927 by Charles Frederick Ramus, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This black-and-white sketch shows three women in a dimly lit room. One sits in the center, holding a fan and wearing a hat, while the other two lean in close, their faces half-hidden in shadow. The walls look plain, and the light comes from somewhere off-canvas, casting soft shapes on the faces. The artist used shading to create depth, making the women’s expressions hard to read. The way the light and dark play across their faces feels intentional, almost like a stage. If you like this style, check out chiaroscuro next.
