1803
oil
canvas
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Melinda and Lucy Consult Kite (from George Farquhar's 'The Recruiting Officer', Act IV, Scene 2) is a 1803 oil by Robert Smirke, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting depicts a scene from George Farquhar's 'The Recruiting Officer', Act IV, Scene 2. Three figures are shown: a man dressed in a dark coat and hat, and two women in long dresses, one wearing a white headscarf and the other a blue headband. The man sits on a chair, while the women stand by a table, engaged in conversation. The setting appears to be a dimly lit room, with the man's face partially obscured by shadows. The women's faces are more visible, with the one wearing the white headscarf looking directly at the man. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, drawing the viewer's attention to the central figures. To learn more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
Robert Smirke (15 April 1753 – 5 January 1845) was an English painter and illustrator, specialising in small paintings showing subjects taken from literature. He was a member of the Royal Academy.
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