Rulo c. 1900

Agnes Winterbottom Cooney created this cyanotype, “Rulo,” at the turn of the 20th century, a period marked by significant shifts in gender roles. This distinctive blue photograph offers an intimate glimpse into domestic life, diverging from traditional representations of women. Here, a couple is shown absorbed in a newspaper, challenging the era's conventional images of women engaged in domestic activities or posed as objects of beauty. This everyday scene reflects the changing dynamics within households, influenced by the suffragette movement and evolving societal norms. Cooney, through her artistic lens, captures women's growing engagement with broader social and political issues. The cyanotype's blue hue lends a dreamlike quality, highlighting the subtle yet profound shifts in identity and power dynamics. It invites us to consider the personal and political dimensions of women's lives during this transformative period. It’s a quiet revolution, documented in shades of blue.