The runaway couple. 1937

Jessie Willcox Smith created "The Runaway Couple" sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it’s like stepping into a hushed, intimate world. She uses these muted, powdery colors, and gentle forms, and it seems like she applied the paint in soft washes, allowing it to almost breathe on the surface. Look how Smith handles the textures – the ruffles on the girl’s dress, the boy’s corduroy suit. You can almost feel the fabrics. It's like she's not just painting what she sees, but also the feeling of it all. My eye keeps going back to the doorway. There's a figure lurking in the shadows, watching the little couple, and it adds this lovely layer of narrative. You know, Smith was known for her illustrations of children, and this piece really hits that sweet spot. It reminds me a bit of Edward Hopper in its quiet storytelling. But Smith’s world feels a bit more hopeful, more tender. It's a world where even runaways can find comfort.