Untitled 1855 - 1868

This is an album page from 1868 by Georgina Cowper, now at the Art Institute of Chicago. Cowper was working in a period when printed media became increasingly accessible, significantly influencing public opinion and cultural values. In this piece, Cowper assembles printed text, likely from newspapers or periodicals, to create a collage. The textual fragments, which contain articles that seem to reflect on political figures and events, are arranged to form new meanings. Consider how the act of cutting, arranging, and pasting transforms the original context of the texts. This artistic intervention invites questions about the construction of narratives, the role of the media, and the artist's own voice amidst these prevailing discourses. Does the artwork maintain traditional representations or develop alternative narratives? Cowper’s album page highlights the constructed nature of information and its potential for reinterpretation. It invites us to reflect on how societal issues are shaped and reflected in the media we consume.