Yes or No Date 1893

John William Godward’s “Yes or No Date” (1893) depicts a young woman in flowing white garments standing near a marble wall, looking pensively toward a man who leans against the wall. The man offers her his hand. The setting appears to be a garden, and a tiger skin lies at the woman's feet. This work exemplifies Godward’s Pre-Raphaelite style, which was popular in the late 19th century, and is known for its detailed realism, soft lighting and the use of classical themes and subjects. The painting’s title, “Yes or No Date”, suggests that the woman is contemplating a proposal.