The Fitting Room 1931

Kenneth Hayes Miller made this painting, *The Fitting Room*, at an undetermined time, with oil on canvas. You can see it at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The painting style is earthy and warm. Looking at it makes me feel as though it was made with umber, ochre, and sienna. The brushstrokes are thick, and the figures are stocky. Miller's handling of paint makes me think of Daumier, but his depiction of women in a department store also calls to mind Degas. I wonder what it was like for Miller to paint this scene, capturing not just the likeness of the women but also the energy and dynamics of their interactions. There's a feeling of movement and anticipation in the painting that I find captivating. It makes me wonder about the role of painting in preserving memories and documenting everyday life. Ultimately, *The Fitting Room* becomes an invitation to reflect on our shared human experience, connecting the past with the present in a tangible and meaningful way.