Four Friends, second state
1921
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1921
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Four Friends, second state is a 1921 by George Bellows, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This sketch shows four people standing close together in a dimly lit room. The two on the left wear suits, while the person in the center has a dark dress and glasses. The fourth person, a woman in a long coat, touches the woman’s shoulder. A small table with a lamp sits in the corner, and a few other figures are blurred in the background. The artist used bold lines and shading to make the scene feel alive, even though it’s just a sketch. The lighting focuses on the faces, making them stand out against the darker room. If you like this style, look up chiaroscuro next.
