At the Theatre, 1928

Painting by Prudence Heward of two women seated in a crowd at the theatre. They are seen from behind, hair tied up and dressed in evening gowns, and one is looking at a paper in her right hand.

At the Theatre depicts two young women in a public place unaccompanied by men, reflecting their growing independence in the 1920s. They are actively looking but are also objects of the viewer’s gaze, exposing their bare necks, backs, and arms. The theatre is where men and women go to see and be seen.

Painting by Prudence Heward of two women seated in a crowd at the theatre. They are seen from behind, hair tied up and dressed in evening gowns, and one is looking at a paper in her right hand.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a woman seated in a country landscape, her hair up and wearing a loose-fitting red dress.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a woman standing with her hands on her hips in front of a fence and farmhouse. She is wearing a collared dress and bright pink apron.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a woman looking to the right with her arms crossed and wearing a red coat. Behind her are the backs of two figures wearing dark coats and fedoras.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a woman sitting cross-legged in a loose old-fashion bathing suit.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a light-skinned nude woman reclining under a tree. In the distance are a group of buildings and blue water.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a nude Black woman leaning against a tree with her hands in her lap. Behind her are plants, a green field, and a blue lake near the horizon.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a Black woman sitting at a window wearing a purple sweater with no shirt underneath. She is looking down with her head in her left hand. Outside are building facades with tall staircases leading to doors and windows.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a stern blonde woman with her arms crossed and wearing a striped shirt. Behind her are fields and hills.

Painting by Prudence Heward of two women seated in a crowd at the theatre. They are seen from behind, hair tied up and dressed in evening gowns, and one is looking at a paper in her right hand.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a woman seated in a country landscape, her hair up and wearing a loose-fitting red dress.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a woman standing with her hands on her hips in front of a fence and farmhouse. She is wearing a collared dress and bright pink apron.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a woman looking to the right with her arms crossed and wearing a red coat. Behind her are the backs of two figures wearing dark coats and fedoras.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a woman sitting cross-legged in a loose old-fashion bathing suit.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a light-skinned nude woman reclining under a tree. In the distance are a group of buildings and blue water.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a nude Black woman leaning against a tree with her hands in her lap. Behind her are plants, a green field, and a blue lake near the horizon.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a Black woman sitting at a window wearing a purple sweater with no shirt underneath. She is looking down with her head in her left hand. Outside are building facades with tall staircases leading to doors and windows.

Painting by Prudence Heward of a stern blonde woman with her arms crossed and wearing a striped shirt. Behind her are fields and hills.

At the Theatre - Art Canada