Carmel Dunes 

Rose O’Neill rendered this oil on canvas painting, Carmel Dunes, sometime during her career as an illustrator, cartoonist, and artist. O'Neill was a woman working in fields dominated by men in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In her art, she challenged traditional gender roles and conventional representations of women by creating characters that were independent, adventurous, and expressive. The landscape format offered O'Neill a respite from the confines of the figure. This vista, where land meets sky, evokes a sense of freedom and escape, mirroring O'Neill's own life as an artist who defied social norms and expectations. While O'Neill is best known for her Kewpie illustrations, landscapes like this offered her a space to explore her artistic talents beyond commercial work, and to connect with nature. As you contemplate this painting, consider the ways in which O'Neill's personal experiences and artistic vision are reflected in her work.