Laura Dianti c. 19th century

Curator: The somber mood of this image really strikes me. There’s a pensiveness to the woman that feels very intimate. Editor: This is "Laura Dianti," attributed to Vincenzo Della Bruna, who lived from 1804 to 1870. It’s currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Curator: The fur stole—or maybe it's part of a garment— feels like a protective barrier. Almost like she’s shielding herself from something unseen. Editor: The history of portraiture is so often tied to power, and this image seems to question that. There's a vulnerability here that contrasts with the traditional display of wealth and status. Curator: Yes, it also brings to mind archetypes of beauty in art history. The pose and drapery feel classical, but with a melancholic twist. Editor: Indeed. Della Bruna's choice to depict this particular woman certainly tells us about prevailing ideals of beauty in the 19th century. Her gaze encourages us to ponder not just who she was, but also the place of women in the era's social fabric.