The Social Hour c. 1950

Edwin Georgi painted “The Social Hour,” date unknown, using what looks like watercolour or gouache. There’s a controlled, almost illustrative quality to it, but the medium lends itself to these wonderfully soft transitions of color. You can see this in the faces of the figures. Georgi is working with a subdued palette: muted greens and purples. The image has this kind of mid-century sheen to it, an emphasis on surface and glamour. Look at the confident line that defines the figures. There is one area that is particularly interesting: the woman's red lipstick, the colour is so bold, so opaque. It’s these details that give the piece a sense of completion. This piece reminds me of the work of Patrick Nagel, who had a similar interest in popular culture. These pieces aren't really about fixed meanings, but about opening up a space for dialogue.