The Sisters, from Old English Masters Possibly 1900 - 1902

Timothy Cole's "The Sisters, from Old English Masters" is at the Art Institute of Chicago, and looking at it I imagine the intense, focused labor involved. There's a real tonal range to this artwork and a lot of dark ink. You can imagine him wiping away the excess, then going back in, layering and refining with subtle gestures. The softness and intimacy in this image are what strike me most. It has something to do with the gentle touch of one sister on the others shoulder. There's a tenderness there. It's like they're in their own little world, sharing secrets or maybe just enjoying each other's company. The composition reminds me of those old master paintings, the way they use light and shadow to create depth and mood. You know, it’s like looking back through history and finding these little gems of human connection that still resonate today.