This is a style that he was most famous for to the point that he was widely known as the modern Pre-Raphaelite. This particular piece of art goes by quite a number of names. In addition to Gossip, there is Good Neighbours, The Gossips, and even Washing Day. All these variants of the name give in-depth insight into what the subjects of the painting are doing. Various themes can also be obtained from it. The subjects in the painting, created by Waterhouse, include a young girl who is sited on a chair and appears to be knitting or mending a piece of cloth. Beside her is a toddler, and it can be seen that the young girl is taking care of the toddler.
This young girl is talking to two other people who are on the other side of the fence; they are likely her neighbours. This portrays a likely origin of one of the titles given to this oil canvas painting. The neighbourly aspect is obtained from the wall that the two other children are leaning on. Behind these two children are what seems to be white linen and other clothes suggesting that it was indeed a washing day. Another possible source for one of the names that the prestigious painting has obtained. These three individuals seem to be talking about something exciting or shocking. The toddler, who most likely cannot comprehend the conversation, is excluded.
This is brilliantly demonstrated by John William in how he painted the postures of the children and their facial expressions. A juicy story is being told and listened to by the subjects in this artistic creation. The title Gossip or The Gossips, therefore, fits the description of the painting perfectly. The colour pallet used by John William in this creation consists of warm colours that have been blended and used in a way that complements each other. The tone of the painting is smooth, with each section flowing onto the next without parts that seek more attention to the eye. The aspect of realism is extraordinary, owing to the details that Waterhouse does not overlook. Nothing short of precision and accuracy is seen, especially in the brick walls that separate the two homesteads. The current location of the painting is unknown. You might also be interested in these related paintings by Edgar Degas, namely Dancers at the Barre, The Ballet Rehearsal on Stage and The Rehearsal of the Ballet on Stage.
