Ada 1862 - 1886

Luigi Conconi made this etching titled 'Ada' sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. Conconi lived in Milan, a city undergoing rapid industrialization and social change. The portrait depicts a woman, her gaze directed downwards with a soft, melancholic expression. She is adorned with a hat, which situates her within the middle or upper class. During this period, women were often portrayed in art through the lens of idealized beauty or domesticity. Consider the title, ‘Ada,’ which personalizes the image, inviting viewers to contemplate her individual story. What were Ada's hopes, dreams, and struggles in a society that often confined women to specific roles? The delicate lines and muted tones evoke a sense of intimacy, as if capturing a fleeting moment of introspection. Conconi invites us to reflect on the complexities of female identity during this transformative era. It’s a poignant study of an individual amidst larger social currents.