Sketch of a Seated Woman; verso: Sketch of a House 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have William Valentine Schevill's "Sketch of a Seated Woman," an undated drawing. The figure's downcast gaze and the sketch's unfinished quality give it a melancholic feel. What symbols or ideas strike you when you view this piece? Curator: The averted gaze, the simple garb – these are visual cues suggesting humility, introspection. The house sketch on the verso hints at domesticity, but also perhaps confinement. What does the lack of specific detail communicate to you? Editor: I think the lack of detail makes it more universal. It could be anyone, anywhere. What have you learned from this sketch? Curator: How simple lines can evoke powerful emotions and narratives, echoing across time and place.