Girl in profile 

Frederic Leighton made this portrait in oil of a 'Girl in Profile', in the late nineteenth century. Leighton was a leading figure in the British Aesthetic movement, which sought to elevate art for art’s sake, often representing idealized beauty and sensual themes. The representation of women during Leighton’s time was heavily influenced by Victorian ideals of femininity, emphasizing modesty, purity, and domesticity. This work can be seen as part of that tradition. It is an elegant and sensuous depiction of idealized beauty which speaks to the cultural values of the time. Yet, the woman's gaze and the tilt of her head may hint at a more complex and independent spirit. Leighton’s portraits of women often evoke a sense of timeless beauty and grace. They can invite us to contemplate the societal expectations placed on women during the Victorian era, and how individual identity might both reflect and subtly resist those constraints.