Bed time 1922

Grace Cossington Smith made this painting of a bedroom interior with oil on canvas, and it’s a great example of how painting isn't just about depicting a scene, but also about the pure joy of moving paint around. I find it so interesting how Smith uses color to build form, with small, square dabs of paint layered together. Look at how she renders the shadows with lavender and mauve. They create this feeling of warmth and enclosure, really capturing that feeling of being safe and cozy at bedtime. The way the light from the lamp bounces off the mirror and casts shadows on the wall, it’s almost like she’s painting a feeling as much as a place. It reminds me a little of Bonnard and Vuillard, those other painters of quiet, domestic interiors. It’s like she's saying that everyday life is full of beauty if you just take the time to really see it.