Who Can They Be 1918

John William Godward painted ‘Who Can They Be’ with oils on canvas. Look at this figure gazing wistfully out to sea! What’s so interesting is Godward's dedication to detail, which almost feels photographic. But then, the whole scene has a feeling of being staged. The model in her costume, the wall, the sea behind – each element is carefully placed. Imagine the studio setting, the artist meticulously layering paint to achieve those subtle gradations of light and shadow. I bet Godward was thinking about how to keep painting relevant in a world that was rapidly changing with new technologies. Here he is, referencing ancient Greece or Rome and the art of that period, yet creating something totally new. These artists have the same ambition as I do: they are looking back and forward at the same time.