The other half of the dyptich….

Choosing extra things to put into a portrait is a defining process. The objects or setting are usually related to the character of the sitter, and in this case it may have been true as they are two young brothers who would likely have played in the forest and climbed trees. The brother of this chap stares directly at you, while this chap gazes at an interest outside of the composition. If the paintings were actually hung as intended, that is as a diptych, then the fellow in the red stripped sweater would have joined the pieces by looking at his brother while his brother looked at the viewer, creating a sort of circle of recognition. That’s just a guess, but Joy would definitely have thought it all out as the suggestion is indeed a possibility. What do you think?