Untitled c. 1900

This ‘Untitled’ watercolor and graphite artwork was created by Nellie Thorne who lived from 1879 to 1957. Thorne’s artwork gives us an insight into the cultural and social environment of the late 19th and early 20th centuries when ideas about gender, class, and identity were changing. This piece shows a classical, almost Grecian scene with figures who appear to be of privilege. Notice how the garments and musical instruments give off a feeling of wealth and leisure. A closer look reveals a child figure seemingly grasping at the hem of the woman’s dress, perhaps suggesting motherhood or domesticity. In this way, the work balances traditional representations with emerging narratives of women's roles. In the end, this artwork invites us to consider the complex interplay between societal expectations and personal expression, echoing the emotional and personal dimensions of the artist's life and the world she inhabited.