Anna Parker Lowell (Mrs. Abbott Lawrence Lowell) (d. 1930) 1930

Editor: Here we have Charles Sydney Hopkinson’s portrait of Anna Parker Lowell. The sitter appears poised and self-assured, but also somewhat constrained by the formality of the setting. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This portrait invites us to consider the role of women like Anna Parker Lowell within the social structures of her time. What power dynamics are at play, and how does Hopkinson negotiate those? Consider the societal expectations placed upon women of her class and how this portrait might challenge or reinforce them. Editor: It's interesting how the dark dress and background seem to almost diminish her presence, yet that small brooch draws your eye. Curator: Exactly! It’s a subtle act of defiance, perhaps. Or perhaps it's simply a marker of her status. What does that tension tell us about the complex position of women in that era? Editor: I never thought about a brooch communicating so much. I'm learning to look beyond the surface. Curator: Precisely. Every element contributes to the narrative, and the narrative reflects the society that produced it.