Two women travel together on a train, dressed in voluminous dresses of the day. So similarly dressed that they could be twins. Or best friends who just like to dress alike. One of the women is asleep, the other awake, reading. Outside the carriage the beautiful landscape of hills and river passes by, un noticed. That is what I see when I look at the painting The Travelling Companions by Augustus Egg.
Perhaps they are musicians on their way to a concert. Later tonight, they will sit side by side playing together. Just as they travel together and live together. Perhaps they are lovers, brought together by their enjoyment of travel, clothes and music. Who knows?
