John Sloan (1871-1951) – Sunday, Women Drying Their Hair (1912 Addison Gallery of American Art) part 2 American painters

The canvas presents a scene unfolding on a rooftop in what appears to be an urban setting. Four women occupy the foreground, engaged in the mundane act of drying their hair after presumably bathing. The composition is structured around a low brick wall that serves as both a physical barrier and a compositional device, separating the figures from the densely packed buildings visible in the background.
The artist has rendered the scene with a muted palette dominated by earthy tones – browns, greens, and grays – which contribute to an overall sense of quiet observation rather than dramatic intensity. Light plays a crucial role; it seems diffused, suggesting either early morning or late afternoon, casting soft shadows that define form without creating harsh contrasts. The light also illuminates the hanging laundry, a significant detail that reinforces the domesticity of the scene and hints at the working-class nature of these women.
The figures themselves are depicted with a degree of naturalism; their poses appear relaxed and unstudied, conveying an impression of everyday life. Each woman is absorbed in her own activity, creating a sense of individual presence within the collective group. The varying attire – one figure in a blouse and skirt, another in a simple dress, and a third in a more casual top and trousers – suggests a range of social backgrounds or personal preferences.
Beyond the surface depiction of domesticity, several subtexts emerge. The rooftop setting itself is evocative; it implies a degree of privacy and respite from the crowded city below, yet simultaneously exposes these women to public view. This juxtaposition highlights themes of vulnerability and exposure within an urban environment. The laundry lines, stretching across the background, create a visual barrier between the figures and the distant cityscape, suggesting a separation between domestic life and the broader world of commerce and industry.
The painting’s strength lies in its ability to elevate the ordinary to the level of artistic significance. It is not merely a depiction of women drying their hair; it is an exploration of urban life, privacy, visibility, and the quiet dignity of everyday existence. The artists choice to focus on this seemingly unremarkable moment reveals a keen eye for detail and a desire to capture the essence of modern American experience.