The Confession

(click to enlarge)

John Collier

(English, 1850-1924)

The Confession, 1902

Oil on canvas

Similar to Collier's other Problem Picture, Trouble. You can read more on the Problem Picture here, and see Frank Dicksee's painting of the same title.

Trouble

(click to enlarge)

John Collier

(English, 1850-1924)

Trouble, 1898

Oil on canvas

Collier produced numerous portraits and history pictures but he was best known for his so called 'problem pictures' which had open-ended psychological dramas left for viewers to interpret. In spite of Collier's protestation that 'the little tragedies of modern life' had 'perfectly plain' meanings, Trouble nevertheless remains ambiguous. A younger woman weeps to the left, while an older woman grips her sewing machine while looking anxiously at the shadows. What has transpired, and who is approaching? Are the women transgressors, or victims? Collier specialised in such moments of dramatic tension.

from Victorian / Edwardian Paintings blog.

The Enchanted Garden (Welcome!)

I had a lot of trouble picking the painting for today. I wanted a painting that would really represent the kind of feeling I wanted the blog to have. And I think I found one that does that very well!

(click to enlarge) 

John William Waterhouse

(English, 1849-1917)

The Enchanted Garden, 1916

Oil on canvas

Waterhouse died before completing this painting, but even unfinished it's lovely. Did you notice the sprinkling of snow flurrying in from the outside? Even while it's frigid outside, the garden is calm, warm, and enchanting! That's how I would like this blog to be, an enchanted garden of sorts. Where, no matter how gold and gray it is outside, you can find beauty. This does not mean every painting I post is going to be full of flowers and pretty dresses (though probably a lot of them will be!). I hope there will be some variety. But you can help me with that! Please, leave comments! Tell me what you think of the paintings, and feel free to recommend other artists and paintings! And please, try to tolerate my terrible writing skills and affinity for smilie faces. :)

Welcome to The Daily Painting!