The Western Brothers

Determined to stand out at the Royal Academy's exhibition, American-born painter John Singleton Copley developed an innovative composition for this double portrait. The artist paints a scene full of action, contained within a narrow space defined by a low balustrade. Charles Western looks up from his drawing, his attention caught by his younger brother Shirley, who points enthusiastically to his right. The leaping dog and the portfolio's corner seem to spill out of the canvas into our space. Tousled hair, bending trees, and the curling edge of the paper held fast by Charles let us imagine the sensations one might experience on a sunny terrace during a breeze day.