A Waterloo 1903

Cassius Marcellus Coolidge probably painted 'A Waterloo' with oil on canvas. I imagine him sketching out the composition, maybe laughing to himself as he placed the dogs around the table, each with its own little expression. I wonder if he felt a bit like he was directing a play, placing his actors on a stage. I like to think about the physicality of the paint itself, and the way that Coolidge layered the colors to create depth and texture, like he’s building up the fur on these dogs one brushstroke at a time. Each brushstroke adds to the narrative. There’s a hint of humor in this painting, but maybe also a little nod to other artists who came before, painters who were also trying to capture the essence of human experience. Artists are always in conversation with each other, riffing off each other's ideas. Coolidge embraces the ambiguity, the uncertainty of what it means to be alive.