This is so beautiful! I love the contrast, the color, the symmetry ... everything, in fact. The hair in particular is really striking; the way some of the lines flow into one another is just such an awesome detail. I could go on about the shoes, the sleeves, and the fact that I now know (a) what a conversation chair is and (b) that I would like one. This is all delightfully graceful.
The parts that really get to me are the expressions, though - so full of tension and yet restful, a quiet moment, if not a peaceful one, in an explosive and dangerous year. Touching but separated, sharing fatigue and trouble and something else ... honestly, your spot-on title says it all. Awesome. Thank you, Mystery Artist! ♥ This is fabulous.