Green and Gold, Thomas Wilmer Dewing

Mystery. That is the word that comes to mind when you first see Thomas Wilmer Dewing’s “A Lady in Green”. To me, this piece is a chain of unanswered questions. Who is the Lady in Green? Why did Dewing choose to paint her? Where did she come from? Where is she going? Everyone has their own theory. When you look more closely at the painting, you may start to inquire about her standing position. The woman stands with her back facing the viewer. She has one hand on her hip, the other dangling by her side. Is her back turned because she has some deep, dark, secret? Or is she simply shy? Perhaps she just wants to show off the low back of her dress. I think that ambiguity is the beauty of the piece. Everyone sees something different. I see this beautiful young woman in an elegant green gown, hair pinned up into a bun, looking longingly, perhaps forlornly over her shoulder. What is she thinking about? The possibilities are infinite. To me, she looks like a woman with a secret. This piece reminds me of the cover of an old mystery novel. However, if you let your mind wander, you may come up with a completely different theory. That is what I really like about this piece-it makes you use your imagination. In order for a great work of art to be created however, there must be someone behind the easel. That is where Thomas Wilmer Dewing comes in. Dewing was born in 1851 in Boston, Massachusetts. He later moved to New York, where his art career really kicked off. Known for his idealized portraits and tonalized female figures, Dewing was a tonalist in an era where impressionism was the main art style. Tonalism uses low-toned atmospheres, particularly in landscapes, and was very popular among American artists in the 1880’s. Thomas Wilmer Dewing created “Lady in Green” in 1910, and used oil on canvas. He has many well-known paintings on display in museums all over the country. However, you can view “Lady in Green” in the 19th Century Gallery of the Spencer.