Abigail Inskeep Bradford 

Curator: We are looking at "Abigail Inskeep Bradford", a painting executed in oil by Rembrandt Peale. Editor: There's a striking dichotomy in the colour composition here. The subject is in a vibrant scarlet red which draws the eye immediately, contrasted against the backdrop of softer greens and blues that feel almost… nostalgic. Curator: Scarlet signifies strength and importance while against this verdant and somber backdrop…Peale invokes the American Romanticism, the vast and wild spaces of this new nation. The artist invites us to think about history as a form of continuity, where this subject will have an enduring memory. Editor: Yes, and formally, note the contrast between the sharply defined, almost neoclassical lines of the subject's dress, and the softer, diffused forms of the landscape behind her. It lends an air of seriousness. But also the artist is thinking through line and edge with that dramatic shadow— the materiality of Romanticism shows us both precision and fluidity working in one image. Curator: Consider how women are usually seen, demure and quiet. Here, that striking color paired with that confident, direct gaze resists conventional symbolism. The artist may be asking viewers to think about the changing role of women during this time period, which might invite dialogue about our values today. Editor: Perhaps. From a compositional perspective, I am very impressed with the artist’s restraint with the light. The subtle gradation of light on her face and clothing, creating depth, works in stark contrast to what could have been. There is power in this restraint. Curator: Ultimately, that may be why we keep returning to this portrait; it makes us reassess our ideas, pushing and pulling at collective meanings of virtue and power. Editor: And technically speaking, this particular artist seemed so very adept at conveying so much with such minimalist means!