A Young Officer Saying Farewell to His Family
1841
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1841
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This scene shows a group of people in a cozy room. A woman in a pink dress stands with a little girl, while a soldier in a dark uniform with gold trim says goodbye. Two men in hats are packing boxes, and a boy in a checkered shirt watches. The walls are decorated with patterned wallpaper and a round mirror. The soldier’s handshake with the woman suggests a quiet moment of leave-taking. The painting uses soft colors and loose brushstrokes, giving it a warm, lived-in feel. Next, check out the technique: watercolor, glazing to see how artists build depth with layers of paint.
