Loves Me, Loves Me Not 1909

Ethel Carrick painted "Loves Me, Loves Me Not" with oil on canvas, likely in the early 20th century. Carrick's visible brushstrokes are significant here. The loose, textured application of paint, especially in the foliage, speaks to a time of rapid industrial change, with the artist capturing a fleeting moment in nature, a retreat from the factory floor. Note how Carrick uses the qualities of oil paint - its ability to blend, its capacity for layering - to create an immersive and sensual scene. The subtle variations in color and tone convey a lived experience of leisure. This naturalistic approach links back to Impressionism, a movement that sought to capture the immediacy of perception, and was facilitated by newly available, mass-produced painting supplies. Carrick elevates a humble, intimate scene, inviting us to consider the relationship between labor, leisure, and the changing landscape of modern life.