A Corner of the Artist's Room, Rue Terre Neuve, Meudon

A Corner of the Artist's Room, Rue Terre Neuve, Meudon

Gwen John

1917

gouache

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This painting shows a plain corner of a room. The wall is a soft tan, with one empty space where a picture might hang. A window with white curtains lets in faint light, and a small yellow block sits on the windowsill. The floor is red-brown, and the edges of the walls meet at a sharp angle. The artist used simple shapes and muted colors to make the room feel quiet and ordinary. The empty space on the wall stands out—it’s like a pause in the scene. Next, look up watercolor to see how artists use this light, translucent technique.

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