Sitting up with a Sick Friend 1903

Cassius Marcellus Coolidge painted “Sitting up with a Sick Friend” sometime in the late 1800s using oil on canvas, and what strikes me is the humor. The dogs' faces are so expressive, and the warm color palette just adds to the coziness of the scene. The texture is smooth, almost like a photograph, but the brushstrokes are visible in the fur and clothing, giving it a painterly quality. I’m drawn to the dog holding the umbrella. The way it's rendered is so precise, yet the dog's gaze is soft, like it’s got no idea what to do with this parasol. It's this combination of detail and absurdity that makes the painting so appealing. The surface is matte, which gives it a nostalgic feel. Coolidge's work reminds me a bit of Balthus, in that they both explore these intimate, domestic scenes with a touch of the uncanny. Both artists embrace ambiguity, inviting viewers to bring their own stories and interpretations to the table, or, in this case, to the poker game!