Description

Best of Friends by P. Buckley Moss

Content & Subject

Best of Friends by P. Buckley Moss is a heartwarming 1998 limited edition lithograph that beautifully captures the quiet bond of childhood companionship. Part of the beloved P. Buckley Moss Two Girls Collection, this rare numbered edition artwork reflects the innocence, trust, and gentle joy that often defines early friendships.

At the center of Best of Friends, two young girls sit closely together on a wooden bench beneath a tall window framed with soft winter branches visible through the glass. Their posture is relaxed and natural, suggesting a comfortable familiarity between them. The girls share a single open book, held carefully between them, symbolizing both learning and shared imagination.

The simplicity of the moment is what makes Best of Friends so touching. There is no distraction—no bustling activity—just two children quietly enjoying each other’s company while reading together. Their small bonnets, patterned dresses, and soft expressions evoke the timeless charm of Moss’s signature rural Americana style. Through subtle details and gentle expressions, Moss captures something universal: the feeling of belonging that comes from a trusted friend.

The tall window behind them adds a sense of calm reflection to the composition. Outside, faint branches stretch upward, suggesting late autumn or winter—seasons often associated with stillness and introspection. Inside, the warm wooden bench and the girls’ shared moment create a sense of comfort and warmth, making Best of Friends feel both intimate and nostalgic.

Throughout the composition, Moss’s storytelling shines. Best of Friends is not simply a portrait of two girls—it is a quiet narrative about companionship, learning, and the small everyday moments that shape childhood memories.

Style & Technique

P. Buckley Moss is known for her distinctive American folk-art style, and Best of Friends exemplifies this beautifully. The elongated window panes and slender lines create vertical movement within the composition, while the girls themselves anchor the scene with gentle balance and symmetry.

The soft pastel palette used in Best of Friends contributes to the artwork’s peaceful tone. Muted blues, pale greens, warm wood tones, and delicate creams blend harmoniously, allowing the viewer to focus on the emotional connection between the figures. Moss’s minimalist approach ensures that every element serves the story.

As a limited edition lithograph, Best of Friends preserves the delicate textures and line work characteristic of Moss’s original designs. The fine details in the girls’ clothing patterns, facial expressions, and the subtle branches outside the window demonstrate the careful craftsmanship involved in creating the print.

This thoughtful balance of simplicity and detail is a hallmark of Moss’s work. In Best of Friends, she masterfully combines folk-art traditions with emotional storytelling, resulting in a piece that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

Mood & Inspiration

The mood of Best of Friends is tender, reflective, and quietly joyful. Moss often drew inspiration from childhood innocence, rural traditions, and meaningful relationships, and this piece beautifully reflects those themes.

The act of reading together represents more than just learning—it symbolizes shared discovery. In Best of Friends, the girls appear completely absorbed in their book, suggesting a world of imagination unfolding between them. This shared focus creates a sense of unity and trust.

The gentle expressions on their faces convey calm concentration, reinforcing the idea that true friendship often exists in peaceful moments rather than grand gestures. Moss reminds viewers that companionship can be found in the simplest of activities.

For collectors, Best of Friends represents one of Moss’s most heartfelt explorations of childhood friendship, making it a deeply meaningful piece within her broader body of work.

Placement & Gift Ideas

Because of its warm and nostalgic tone, Best of Friends is an ideal addition to many areas of the home. It works beautifully in nurseries, children’s rooms, reading corners, libraries, classrooms, and family living spaces. The artwork encourages reflection, learning, and connection—making it particularly meaningful in environments where stories are shared.

For collectors, Best of Friends also makes a thoughtful and sentimental gift. It is especially meaningful for best friends, sisters, teachers, book lovers, mothers, daughters, and lifelong Moss collectors. The theme of companionship makes it perfect for birthdays, graduations, friendship celebrations, or even as a heartfelt housewarming gift.

Collectors who appreciate Moss’s ability to capture the emotional simplicity of everyday life will find Best of Friends to be a treasured piece within their collection.

Includes a Certificate of Authenticity. (see FAQs)

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📚 Fun Fact:
Reading together has long been considered one of the most powerful ways to strengthen friendships and early learning. P. Buckley Moss frequently depicted children engaged in quiet activities—such as reading or reflection—because she believed these moments revealed the deepest human connections.

🎨 Collector’s Insight:
Because Best of Friends is a 1998 rare limited edition lithograph, it holds special appeal for collectors of the P. Buckley Moss Two Girls Collection. Artwork depicting pairs of children is particularly cherished among Moss enthusiasts because these pieces emphasize themes of companionship, trust, and shared experience. As earlier Moss editions continue to grow more difficult to locate on the secondary market, prints like Best of Friends have become increasingly desirable among collectors who appreciate the artist’s gentle storytelling and timeless folk-art style.

1998

Rare Art Print

Image Size: 8-3/4 x 3-5/8 inches. Paper Size: 12-1/4 x 7-1/8 inches.

🎁 Available through Canada Goose Gallery in Waynesville, Ohio — your trusted source for the art of P. Buckley Moss.