Untitled (lily) c. 1892 - 1905

Editor: Here we have Sarah Choate Sears's "Untitled (lily)," a photograph of elegant simplicity. I'm struck by its quiet intimacy. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Sears, a woman working in photography when it was becoming more accessible, presents us with an interesting lens to examine gender roles in the art world. How does the domesticity often associated with women artists of this period influence your reading of the work? Editor: I guess I hadn't considered that. It feels so detached, almost scientific, yet also very personal. Curator: Exactly! This tension embodies larger debates about women in science and art, domesticity and public life, and the expectations placed upon women of her era. These lilies, then, are more than just pretty flowers. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about! Thanks.