At the Threshold 1912 - 1920

Curator: Standing before us is "At the Threshold", a marble sculpture crafted between 1912 and 1920 by Edith Woodman Burroughs, now residing here at The Met. Editor: It’s arrestingly serene. The smooth, pale surface of the marble gives the figure a spectral, almost dreamlike quality. Her slightly downcast gaze makes it feel very contemplative, almost melancholy. Curator: Burroughs was deeply engaged with representing female experience. In the context of early 20th-century America, the depiction of a pregnant nude woman was transgressive, a deliberate engagement with ideas around motherhood and the female body that were not openly discussed at the time. She reclaims classical form to discuss modern feminist thought. Editor: The composition adheres to a classical canon—contrapposto is very obvious here. But there’s something distinctly modern in the proportions; the slenderness and youthful air contrast with the very mature theme of imminent motherhood. And, of course, it must have been an exceptional technical feat to take something so cool and hard as marble and fashion a body so gentle in its curve. Curator: It’s vital to remember Burroughs’ participation in the burgeoning art scene in New York. Her work engaged in debates about women’s rights, artistic representation, and the shifting social landscape, contributing to discourses around feminine identity. By naming the piece "At the Threshold," she underscores a pivotal transition not just in the figure's life but, metaphorically, in the broader cultural understanding of women's roles. Editor: Looking closely, there is a roughened patch around the right ankle, in textural contrast with the polished smoothness elsewhere. Semiotically, it represents an awakening – a new growth as she enters motherhood. The placement of her left hand over her chest can be seen as a way of subtly emphasizing her physical body. Curator: Seeing it again through your eyes is a reminder that art from the past continues to provoke contemporary dialogues. The issues she explored with such precision are still relevant. Editor: Agreed. And focusing again on materiality, you find endless subtlety and nuance. The marble medium really contributes to this feeling that she’s not just stepping into a new role but is something new and wondrous coming into being.