The mirror
| Support Type: | Canvas |
| Paint Type: | Oil Paint |
| Current Location: | Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C., USA |
| Location History: | Created in the United States around 1910. The painting was subsequently owned by William T. Evans, who donated it to the Smithsonian in 1911. It entered the Smithsonian collection under accession number 1911.2.4 and remains in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. It is currently listed as not on view. |
: The painting portrays an elegant, full-length female figure draped in a flowing, deep blue or violet Edwardian gown. Standing in profile, she turns her head slightly away while holding a small, circular hand mirror up toward her face. Her hair is styled in a soft, dark updo typical of the early 20th century. Behind the subject stands a highly decorative, elaborate folding screen featuring a stylized white bird—resembling a crane or heron—surrounded by abstract floral motifs and organic patterns. The screen heavily draws inspiration from Japonisme and Asian design principles, which were highly influential during the Impressionist era. Reid utilizes a classic Impressionistic approach characterized by loose, visible, and feathery brushstrokes. The color palette is extraordinarily luminous, dominated by rich blues, shimmering golds, and muted purples. This technique creates a shimmering effect across the canvas, blurring the boundaries between the woman and her surroundings. The background textures and the dress fabric almost blend together into a singular, harmonized field of light and color. The central motif of the small mirror serves as a classic artistic metaphor for reflection, self-discovery, and introspection. Instead of capturing a simple domestic chore, the painting stops a quiet, private moment in time. The screen's natural imagery further frames the woman as an extension of beauty and nature itself. The artwork is widely praised for its decorative qualities, effectively transforming a simple interior portrait into a complex study of light, texture, and pattern.