Going to School c. 1817

Editor: This is Witherington's "Going to School," held at the Tate. It's a small work, and feels so personal, like a glimpse into a memory. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: The intimacy, definitely. It's not just the size, but the way he captures that tender moment of childhood reluctance. The older girl, perhaps a sister, carries the weight of responsibility, while the younger one seems lost in her own little world. Editor: It's interesting how he uses the browns and greens to create a sense of enclosure. It really does feel like a secret world. Curator: Exactly! And that little red petticoat adds such a beautiful pop of colour. It grounds the image in reality, while the overall haziness gives it a dreamlike quality. It's as if we're seeing this scene through the eyes of someone who remembers it fondly, but perhaps not entirely accurately. Editor: It's almost like a faded photograph! I love how it evokes such strong emotion through such simple means. Curator: Me too. It reminds us that art doesn't need to be grand to be deeply moving.