"Instinctive Gratitude" 1880

Curator: This is George Louis du Maurier’s etching, "Instinctive Gratitude," held at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a woman reading while a young girl embraces her from behind. The piece is delicate, almost like a snapshot of a fleeting moment. Editor: It feels very sentimental to me, capturing a quiet, domestic scene. The composition, with the figures framed by the furniture and wallpaper, evokes a sense of intimacy and warmth, almost claustrophobic. Curator: Du Maurier was known for his social commentary, often presented through scenes of domestic life. The etching suggests a nuanced portrayal of Victorian family dynamics. The title itself hints at the complex power structures at play, particularly through the voice of the child. Editor: I see that, with the child’s spoken words inscribed beneath the image: "How pretty and clever you are, mother! I'm so glad you married into our family!" The gratitude feels…conditional, almost transactional. It really speaks to the social expectations placed on women in that era and the reinforcement of patriarchal structures through family narratives. Curator: Precisely. It encapsulates how marriage and motherhood were often presented as the ultimate achievements for women, subtly undermining their individual agency and intellectual capabilities. Editor: I appreciate the way du Maurier captures the inherent contradictions within these seemingly tender scenes. It reminds us that even within the domestic sphere, power dynamics are constantly being negotiated and reinforced.