Studies for a Figure and Head of a Woman c. 1644

Editor: This is Michel Dorigny’s “Studies for a Figure and Head of a Woman.” It’s a sketch, it seems, with a flowing figure and a very classical head. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's interesting to consider this drawing within the context of 17th-century artistic training. The male gaze, so prevalent in art history, shaped the representation of women. How do these studies reinforce or challenge those power dynamics, given Dorigny's social positioning? Editor: That’s a fascinating point. I hadn't considered it in that light. I was focused on the artist’s skill. Curator: Exactly. By exploring the drawing through a feminist lens, we can expose how gender and power intersect within art. Editor: I’ll definitely look at art differently now. Thank you! Curator: And I’ll keep thinking about the beauty of a simple sketch!