Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit on Christmas Day 1937

Jessie Willcox Smith made this image of Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit, sometime around the turn of the last century, probably as an illustration for a book. The colour palette is muted, mostly greys and browns, which gives it a kind of melancholy feel, but also creates an image of wintery comfort. Looking at the way Smith has handled the paint, it’s all about soft edges and gentle transitions. There's no harshness here, everything blends, like a watercolour, but with more body. See how the snow on the rooftops seems to glow, made from very gentle brushstrokes? It’s as if she built the scene out of tiny, almost imperceptible marks. The overall effect is one of tenderness and warmth. It reminds me a little of Paula Modersohn-Becker, in the way Smith uses colour to create mood and atmosphere. But where Becker is more raw and expressive, Smith is all about capturing a fleeting moment of sweetness. Ultimately, this piece is about the way we see the world and how we find beauty in the everyday. It reminds us that art is not just about making something pretty, but about creating a space for empathy and understanding.