Art Explained by a Writer: Meditation (1885)

Of course I’m not meditating. What daft person said that?

I’m sitting here with my coat on, my hat on, and I’ve even put my gloves on. Even a child can see I’ve had enough. I’ve been sitting here for at least an hour waiting for that bloke to finally be ready to leave. It’s always the same old whinge with him. His dawdling is wearing me out. He never gets a move on, and then he just complains that men always have to wait for women.

I can barely keep my eyes open and my left artificial eye could roll out at any moment.

Just a moment, he calls out, then the portrait will really be finished.

The clock strikes again and I let out a deep sigh. Going out with him? I’ve had enough of that.

‘I’m leaving,’ I announce as I stand up. The chair is far from comfortable. I’ll go out on my own, and if I have a good time, I won’t be coming back for the time being.

He doesn’t react as I stumble towards the door. His relationship with the easel and the brush is closer than it is with me.

_{15-3-2026
Painting: Meditation (1885) - public domain
Painter: William Merritt Chase
The contest Art & Writing is hosted by @solperez- Join if you like to describe art in a creative way.
@almaguer @dreeyor @geantech @emmabritt pick your painting or all three.}