Young Woman with Brown Hair c. 1768 - 1770

Curator: This is "Young Woman with Brown Hair" by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. The work resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There’s something so immediate about her expression, like she’s just been caught in a thought, or maybe a daydream. It's intriguing! Curator: Indeed. The red ribbon in her hair and the flush in her cheeks may symbolize passion or perhaps heightened emotion. Editor: Or maybe she just came in from a brisk walk! The open neckline and that dark fur stole, there’s definitely a sense of playful coquetry, a tease. Curator: Perhaps. The symbols are always contingent upon context and cultural understanding, but you've offered a very interesting perspective. Editor: Well, that’s the beauty of art, isn't it? A splash of personal feeling always colors the way we see.