Sketch for 'The Family Compact'
1834
oil
From the collection of Fitzwilliam Museum
1834
oil
From the collection of Fitzwilliam Museum
This painting depicts two women in old-fashioned clothing, one in a white dress and the other in a red dress. They are seated in a room with a brown wall and a dark floor. The woman in white is holding a small object, possibly a book or a box. The woman in red is leaning forward, her face close to the other woman's. Her hand is resting on the other woman's arm. The atmosphere of the painting is intimate and quiet. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye to the women's faces. To learn more about the artist's technique, look up James Ward.
