A Rainy Day 1908

This is a watercolour by Jessie Willcox Smith, called 'A Rainy Day', and look at the way the light from the window seems to be illuminating the scene. What a moment, captured with such tenderness and an eye for the everyday. I can almost feel the softness of the floral chair, the warmth of the mother's embrace, and the quiet stillness that only a rainy day can bring. I wonder what story is being read, what world is being opened up for the child in her mother’s lap. Notice how Smith uses soft, diffused colors to create a sense of intimacy and warmth, pulling you in. Look at the peach tones of the mother's dress against the floral chintz of the chair, she really knows how to mix colours. There's something so timeless about this piece, a real connection to the paintings of Mary Cassatt. Smith's way of looking at the world has inspired so many artists ever since, it really speaks to the magic of everyday life.