[title not known] 

Curator: This drawing, held within the Tate Collections, is by Elizabeth Rigby, born in 1809. It captures a woman in fine detail. Editor: The precision is striking! The light is so delicate, especially around the lace, making the figure appear almost ethereal. Curator: Rigby’s process is key here. Consider the accessibility of drawing as a medium for a woman artist in the 19th century— it was cheaper and less demanding than painting. Editor: But look at how she uses line! The contrast between the tightly rendered curls and the almost sketched-in details of the dress creates a compelling visual tension. It's a sophisticated handling of form. Curator: Precisely. A woman making this kind of portrait was participating in the art world within the confines of what was socially acceptable, depicting women from a potentially female perspective. Editor: The interplay between detail and elision invites interpretation. I see both power and vulnerability in her gaze. Curator: And that's down to Rigby's mastery, turning a humble material into something so thought-provoking. Editor: Indeed, both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.