As a Special Privilege the Zealot Bore it in Blazing 1903

Jessie Willcox Smith made this drawing of graphite and ink on paper and I find it so charming! I can imagine Smith drawing in her studio, playing with light and shadow to give the scene a whimsical touch. The subtle shading and delicate lines convey a sense of reverence, as if she were capturing a sacred moment. I can almost feel the weight of the silver tray in the woman's hands, balanced with grace and poise. The title - “As a Special Privilege the Zealot Bore it in Blazing” - adds a touch of mystery and drama. What exactly is the woman carrying? And why is it blazing? Is it a symbol of hope, passion, or something else entirely? Smith was working during an interesting time when illustration was considered a fine art and had an important cultural function - to tell stories and to educate. Jessie Willcox Smith would have seen herself in conversation with so many other illustrators of the time, exchanging ideas, inspiring one another's creativity.