Artwork
A Difference
A Difference is a print by the Impressionist artist Francis Scott King. It dates from 1887 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1924.932
- Credit line
- Gift of Mrs. Homer H. Johnson
About this work
Overview
Francis Scott King’s 1887 print A Difference is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Executed in black and white, the work presents a quiet outdoor scene framed by a carved façade and a cloud‑filled sky.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features two seated figures on a stone bench. One figure, dressed in loose, draped clothing, reclines with an outstretched arm, while the other, in a hat and coat, sits upright with crossed legs. The contrasting postures suggest a subtle tension between relaxation and formality.
Technique & Style
King employs chiaroscuro, using gradations of light and shadow to model the figures and give them a sense of volume. The careful shading of the background architecture and sky enhances the depth of the scene despite the limited tonal range of the print.
History & Provenance
Created in 1887, A Difference entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings at an unspecified date. The print remains a representative example of King’s late‑19th‑century work in the medium of drawing.
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