The Gallery by Joni Mitchell is a contemplative folk song that delves into themes of love, heartbreak, and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a picture of an artist reflecting on past relationships that are now merely memories, much like paintings hanging in a gallery. Mitchell uses vivid imagery and poignant metaphors to explore the impermanence of love and the way people often become distant as time goes by. A particularly poignant moment is when she describes the artwork as containing 'the sketches of the past', indicating how fleeting and interpretive these memories can be.