La Finette 1916

Editor: So this is Timothy Cole's "La Finette" from 1916, a wood engraving print. It has a classical, almost romantic feel to it, and the dress almost steals the show. How do you interpret this work, considering its historical context? Curator: Seeing "La Finette," I immediately think about the socio-political landscape in 1916. World War I was raging, yet here is this incredibly delicate portrait of a woman, seemingly removed from the turmoil. Does the emphasis on beauty, as expressed through the elaborate dress and refined pose, represent a form of escapism? Or perhaps even resistance, a quiet assertion of grace and humanity in the face of brutality? Editor: That’s interesting, the resistance idea. I hadn't considered that angle, I was more focused on how the print medium democratized art… Curator: Exactly, the wood engraving technique itself is crucial. Prints made art accessible. Who could afford an oil painting, right? Now think about the depicted woman: how does her attire communicate status, but also perhaps the expectations placed upon women of that era? Is there something about her demure pose that challenges, or reinforces, traditional gender roles? Editor: Hmm, she does seem a little reserved, almost passively elegant... it does bring to mind those limited roles women were expected to play back then. I wonder what “La Finette” means. Curator: “La Finette” can loosely translate to a stylish or fashionable woman. In this context, we can question how Cole situates her—a society woman during a global conflict. I am curious, does Cole challenge or solidify expectations? And how might the distribution of this print challenge hierarchies? Editor: I never really thought about portraits being used in that way. Thanks, I definitely have a broader view now. Curator: The intersection of art, war, gender, and class... it's a potent combination to consider when viewing a piece like this. It enriches the dialogue.