[John Reidy]

When I view this painting my eye travels in the fashion I've indicated below. There is a strong slanting cross tha dominates the canvas and then more subtle clues to draw and coax your eye around the painting. I, too, can not express the reason why he chose such a strong color for the dress although I believe I understand why the figure is split off, to show the whole danceer would give it too much importance and stagnate that part of the painting. I like to think the strong color helps draw the eye but the cut off dancer lets the eye pass.

I enjoy exploring the compositional themes here and I thank you, Mike, for all you have contributed.