On the Balcony by John William Godward

The vertical format and solitary contemplation facing the marine immensity characterize this creation of great aesthetic and decorative refinement. At the heart of the scene named “On the Balcony”, the independent master John William Godward places his model from behind in a posture of rare linear elegance. The painting materializes a search for absolute balance, combining the purity of the female silhouette with the rigid geometry of a white marble balustrade overlooking the calm waters of the Mediterranean.

A young brunette woman is depicted from behind in the foreground, her body slightly turned to the right to reveal her pensive profile. With her gracefully raised right arm, she holds a large dried palm fan above her head to shield herself from the intense sunlight. She wears a finely pleated terracotta-orange stola, covered by a large blue-gray drapery tied around her waist that follows the curve of her body. She leans against a high white marble parapet sculpted with a bas-relief depicting an ancient knight. On the horizon extend a calm blue sea and mountains under a clear sky.

The artist’s artisanal excellence is displayed in a brilliant manner in the absolute precision of the marble reliefs and the fluidity of the transparent draperies. His rigorous oil technique allows him to obtain a unique velvety texture to the fabrics and a striking realism to the polished stone surfaces. This meticulous work confirms his perfect technical virtuosity.