Study for 'Polly' 1923

Curator: This is Robert Lewis Reid's "Study for 'Polly'", painted in 1923. Reid, an American Impressionist, used gouache for this piece, a medium that lends itself to the painting’s soft, almost dreamy quality. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is its slightly melancholic air. The parrot, so vividly coloured, seems almost suspended in thought against this dreamy backdrop. There is a wonderful weight and lightness at play. Curator: That’s interesting you say that. The composition itself is quite deliberate; the circular background seems to be a sort of proscenium, framing the parrot, who is the main subject of our attention. It's perched on what looks like a metal hoop. It creates this contrast between organic and the manufactured. Editor: Absolutely, the form—the circle in particular—is doing some serious work. It feels very decorative but at the same time isolates Polly, as the title indicates, giving her an otherworldly presence in this setting. But look at how Reid handles light; the plumage is radiant! There’s almost a spiritual transcendence conveyed through the colour. Curator: I see your point! He certainly plays with light and colour in a way that captures the bird’s vibrancy. Gouache is a great choice, by the way—it allows him to create those saturated colours while maintaining that lovely matte surface, wouldn't you agree? Editor: For sure! Also notice how the cool tones of the background push Polly forward, highlighting her solitude within the overall composition. This artwork uses geometry but embraces the subject’s freedom of color, mood, and soul. Curator: The artist, like his subject, is really working with both constraint and possibility. We hope you were able to discover that alongside us. Editor: Next, shall we visit that portrait over there with the enigmatic smile? I am very excited to keep the dialogue going!