Two Strings to Your Bow

Thomas Rowlandson

National Gallery of Art

The image shows three individuals seated side by side, depicted from head to toe. The person on the left is sitting casually with their legs crossed, their body slightly angled towards the person in the center. They have a prominent facial structure with pronounced cheeks and a high forehead, with their hair styled in a voluminous, white, curly manner. They wear an orange-brown jacket over a patterned waistcoat, cream-colored knee breeches, and long white stockings, with pointed dark shoes. The person in the middle, a woman, is facing the viewer directly, with an elaborate, tall white hairdo atop her head. She wears an ornate yellow gown with a large white collar and sleeves. The gentleman on the right sits with legs extended, wearing a white wig, and his face shows a round nose and a toothy grin. His outfit consists of a bright blue coat with pink cuffs and a white waistcoat, along with yellow breeches and white stockings. He is leaning slightly to his left, toward the woman in the center. Their chairs are upholstered in a bold pink fabric with wooden frames. The background is a simple, textured pale blue-gray, indicating an indoor setting with minimal decoration.