Retrat Femení 

Carmen Osés Hidalgo painted this watercolour portrait, titled 'Retrat Femení', at an unknown date. The portrait embodies the artistic and social currents of early 20th-century Spain. The sitter's bobbed hair and simple attire signal a departure from traditional feminine ideals, reflecting the era's changing roles for women. Yet, the soft, delicate brushstrokes and idealised features also evoke a sense of romanticism, popular in portraiture of the time. Considering the artist's lifespan, the portrait may well have been created during the politically turbulent times of the Second Spanish Republic or the Francoist regime. It could be helpful to research Spanish art institutions of that time. Such research emphasizes that art is always embedded in a specific context. The historian's role is to uncover these layers of meaning, using sources such as letters, exhibition catalogues, and period writings, allowing us to appreciate the complex dialogue between art and society.