Bryn Mawr College Calendar 1909 1909

Jessie Willcox Smith created this calendar design for Bryn Mawr College in 1909. The composition uses a limited palette of tan, black, and white to create a symmetrical and evocative image. Two young women in academic gowns and mortarboards mirror each other, framing the college building in the background. They hold a lantern between them, visually connecting them in their pursuit of enlightenment. The lines of their bodies and the architecture converge, creating a sense of depth that draws the eye into the heart of the college. The calendar uses visual cues to connect education with illumination and shared knowledge. The symmetry stabilizes the composition, while the use of simple forms imbues the work with a sense of timelessness. The figures and their gestures serve as signs, communicating themes of collaboration, mentorship, and tradition. The very structure of the image thus embodies the values of the institution it represents.