Panel from Hall Lantern c. 1936

Blanche Waterbury created this watercolor panel for a hall lantern, likely during the late 19th or early 20th century. Waterbury lived during a time of significant shifts in women's roles and artistic expression, and while biographical details are scarce, her work provides a glimpse into the artistic practices of women in her era. The floral design, with its delicate pink roses and blue flowers, is rendered with soft, diffused brushstrokes that evoke a sense of gentility and refinement. The composition reflects the aesthetic preferences of the time, which valued ornamental and decorative arts, often seen as 'feminine' pursuits. Consider the act of adorning domestic spaces, such as a hall, with handcrafted items; this can be understood as an expression of personal identity and a reflection of broader societal values. How does Waterbury use this panel to develop alternative narratives of domesticity, gender, and artistic expression, reflecting a subtle yet powerful form of self-expression within the confines of her time?