It Was the Custom Then to Bring Away the Bride From Home 1885

“It Was the Custom Then to Bring Away the Bride From Home,” created in 1885 by American artist Will Hicock Low, depicts a scene of a bride being escorted from her home, a practice common in many cultures throughout history. The work, characterized by its realistic style and use of light and shadow, features a procession of figures with torches, musicians, and attendants, suggesting a celebratory atmosphere. The bride, adorned in a white veil and standing in a chariot, is the central figure of the composition, conveying a sense of grace and anticipation. The scene, though set in an undefined time and place, captures the universal human experience of transition and celebration. This watercolor, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases Low's skill in capturing both the grandeur and intimacy of this timeless ritual.