Lady Beauchamp-Proctor 1778

Curator: This is Benjamin West's portrait of Lady Beauchamp-Proctor. The piece is held at the Tate and was painted sometime in the late 18th century. Editor: My first impression is one of youthful artificiality. The hair is enormous, the pose so staged. She is literally entwined with symbols of ideal beauty. Curator: Precisely. It speaks to the societal expectations placed upon women of her class. The classical allusions, the cherubic figure, all reinforce ideals of beauty, virtue, and maternity. Editor: And the flowers? She's not simply holding them; she's crafting a garland. It’s an interesting commentary on female agency and the performance of femininity. Is she adorning herself, or is she adorning the statue? Curator: Good point! I think West is deliberately blurring the lines. She's participating in the creation of an image, but also trapped by it. Editor: The composition seems to want to explore the boundaries of imposed identity. What a strange, beautiful tension. Curator: Indeed, a fascinating lens through which to consider the role of women in the late 1700s!