Woman and Dog n.d.

This drawing, "Woman and Dog," now at the Art Institute of Chicago, presents us with a mysterious scene rendered anonymously in pen and brown ink. Given the era's social constructs, the artist was likely male. The sketch depicts a woman draped in classical robes with her head bowed, as a dog sits at her feet. The lack of specific detail invites us to consider the symbolic weight of the figures. Dogs have long been associated with loyalty and fidelity. What does it mean, then, to see this woman in such close proximity to this animal? Is she a figure of virtue, or perhaps, is she burdened by societal expectations of female submission? The woman's bowed head can be seen as indicative of mourning. The emotional ambiguity of this drawing is compelling. The artist leaves us with an open-ended narrative, prompting us to reflect on the roles assigned to women, and the emotions they are allowed to express.