Self Portrait Undressed 1915

Editor: This is "Self Portrait Undressed," an oil painting by Émilie Charmy from 1915. The woman's gaze is so direct, almost confrontational. It feels…vulnerable, but also incredibly self-possessed. What do you make of it? Curator: It’s important to remember that this work was created during World War I. How do you think that context shaped Charmy's choice to depict herself this way? Editor: Hmm, I hadn't really considered the war. Curator: The rise of modernism saw many women artists interrogating conventional representations of femininity. What do you think she's trying to communicate about women and representation with this image? The gaze, the implied vulnerability, the attire... It speaks to a broader societal negotiation, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: It feels like she’s subverting the male gaze, almost daring you to look. I mean, she’s ‘undressed,’ but on her own terms. It challenges the idea of women being passive objects. Curator: Exactly. The 'undressed' aspect takes on added nuance when considering her active role as a participant rather than a spectacle, yes? It directly engages with debates happening within art institutions. Where were the women during war? Were they mere 'comfort' and motivation? Editor: It's almost like a statement of intent. It's clear the context gives much deeper meaning, a perspective often overlooked. Thanks! Curator: Precisely, and in appreciating Charmy’s work in that light, we’re equipped to critically examine whose histories get prioritized within museum collections.