Davies, Arthur Bowen (American, 1862-1928) 1 American artists

The composition presents two female figures in a close embrace, rendered with a deliberate lack of precise detail and a focus on expressive line work and color washes. The background is a warm, ochre-toned field that appears almost uniform, pushing the subjects forward and minimizing spatial depth. This flatness contributes to an overall sense of intimacy and immediacy.
The artist depicted the figures in profile view, their bodies curving gracefully towards one another. One figure raises her arm above her head, seemingly reaching for or supporting the other’s hair, which is rendered as a fiery cascade of red-orange hues. The second figure responds with her hands placed on the firsts shoulders and upper arms, creating a reciprocal gesture of support and connection. Their bodies are slender and elongated, suggesting an idealized form characteristic of academic drawing traditions while simultaneously possessing a certain fluidity that moves beyond strict anatomical representation.
The color palette is limited but impactful. The flesh tones range from pale pink to lavender, subtly indicating variations in light and shadow. The use of yellow ochre for the background creates a hazy atmosphere, softening the edges of the figures and contributing to a dreamlike quality. This restricted palette directs attention towards the interaction between the two women.
The absence of specific contextual elements – no landscape, furniture, or other objects – suggests that the work is concerned primarily with exploring themes of human connection and intimacy. The gesture itself, the physical closeness and apparent tenderness, implies a relationship built on mutual support and affection. It could be interpreted as representing friendship, familial love, or even romantic partnership.
The sketch-like quality of the execution – the visible brushstrokes and lack of meticulous detail – further enhances this sense of immediacy and emotional vulnerability. The artist seems less interested in creating a photographic likeness than in capturing a fleeting moment of shared emotion. This approach lends the work an air of spontaneity and invites viewers to project their own interpretations onto the scene.