“The Fitting,” created by artist Paula Rego in 1989, is an exemplary piece of genre painting within the Expressionism art movement. The artwork presents an intricate and intense scene that depicts three women engaged in a fitting session for a grandiose, voluminous dress. The central figure, a woman trying on the dress, is gazed upon by two other women, one of whom is kneeling and adjusting the garment while the other stands, observing carefully.
In the background, additional layers of storytelling are provided by the art and figures displayed on the wall and the vacant gazes of those presumably waiting, creating a multifaceted narrative. The expressionistic style is evident in the exaggerated forms and stark contrasts, imbuing the scene with emotional depth and tension. The dress, almost sculpture-like, dominates the composition, drawing the viewer’s attention to the central figure amidst the surrounding details.
