A Social Eddy (or 'Left by the Tide')

Orchardson was from Edinburgh, where he studied under Robert Scott Lauder before moving to London in the 1860s. His draughtsmanship (drawing), colour and composition together with his ability to create pictures with stories made his work very popular. The awkward posture of the young woman's hands and feet give the painting a tense feeling. The artist has left areas of the canvas empty whilst making other areas busy with action, to add to the sense of isolation of the lone female figure. We are left to wonder whether this is a simple story of a shy, young woman, or whether she feels under pressure of some kind.