The Tomb of Irwin 1807 - 1813

This delicate drawing was made at Mrs. Morris’s Academy, a finishing school for young women. The medium appears to be graphite on paper, materials associated with precision and close observation. The subject matter – a tomb in a landscape – reflects the period’s interest in mourning. More than just a sentimental scene, though, this drawing speaks to the social environment of its creation. The very act of drawing was an accomplishment, a skill imparted to women of means. It signified education and taste. Consider the hours of practice needed to achieve this level of detail. It involved labor, albeit of a refined kind. The drawing exemplified the accomplishments and social position of its maker. This simple graphite drawing encourages us to consider art-making itself as a marker of cultural status, and challenges us to reconsider traditional notions of artistic value.