sit a spell

photo credit: Yale University Art Gallery (PD)

Here's Edwin Austen Abbey (American, settled in England; 1852-1911), taking a break from his usual images of Shakespearean plays and polished literary illustrations.  Here, in "Woman Holding a Lap Dog" (watercolor, undated) he's clearly enjoying the play of white drapery and dog against the vibrant contrast of rosy beige and (a window?) deep blue.  The dog has something fascinating to see; the tilt of the woman's head has an immediate look to it, as though Abbey caught her looking over in amusement.  A fresh, pleasant piece for this dark wet morning.