Arabella c. 1915

Ernest Haskell created "Arabella," a delicate pencil drawing, during a time when society was rapidly changing due to industrialization and shifting social norms. Haskell's era was marked by an increasing interest in portraying women in art, yet often within the confines of traditional roles and expectations. The artwork shows a woman holding a bird. The details of her clothing suggest a privileged status, as she is adorned with fine fabrics and embellishments. Yet, the presence of the bird introduces a symbolic element, perhaps representing freedom, fragility, or the constraints placed on women within the societal structure of the time. Haskell’s choice to render Arabella in such detail invites us to consider the complexities of her identity: Is she merely a symbol of beauty and grace, or does she possess an inner life that defies societal expectations? Through "Arabella," Haskell offers a glimpse into the nuanced lives of women during a transformative period. It captures both the aesthetic ideals and the underlying tensions of early 20th-century society.