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Study No. 4: Waiting

John Copley

1924

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Early Modern Interior

Dominant colour

Study No. 4: Waiting is a 1924 by John Copley, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: John Copley
When & what style?: 1924
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting shows a woman sitting at a table, wearing a striped jacket and a hat. She has her hands clasped together in front of her. There are two tall candlesticks on the table, one on either side of her. The background is dark, and the woman's face is illuminated by the light from the candles. The woman's expression is serious, and her posture suggests that she is waiting for something or someone. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of quiet contemplation. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye to the woman's face and hands. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up the technique.