Jardin des Tuileries c. 1899

Matilda Mueden Leisenring captured Jardin des Tuileries on paper using pastel. Born in the late 19th century, Leisenring occupied a unique position as a woman artist navigating a world that often marginalized female voices in the arts. Looking closely, you’ll notice how Leisenring uses soft pastel strokes to depict the garden, a space historically associated with leisure and the upper classes. The children playing with toy boats, the statue in the foreground, and the distant architecture all contribute to a sense of ordered beauty, carefully constructed for public enjoyment. Yet, there's also an undeniable sense of transience, reflecting the ephemeral nature of leisure itself. Leisenring does not offer a straightforward representation but subtly hints at the complexities inherent in portraying such a historically charged space. It leaves you to ponder who is allowed to occupy and enjoy such spaces and at what cost.