"Chicago Interior"

I admire this painting by J. Theodore Johnson (1902-63). But I have to disagree with this commentary:

Outside, a gray sky provides a backdrop for snow-dusted buildings. But Johnson's wife wears a short-sleeve top, suggesting that the artist painted this scene from memory, in a warmer season.

Anyone who's ever lived with radiator heat (and especially in a small hotel room, as depicted in the painting) would know that short sleeves can comfortably be worn all winter long. My last rental apartment had a total of five radiators, but I only had to open the valve on two or three of them to make the entire apartment downright balmy. A cursory search also reveals that the Oak Park post office is adorned with Johnson's WPA murals, which I'll definitely check out next time I'm in the area.

(Via Calumet 412.)