Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler 

Editor: John Singer Sargent's portrait of Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler really struck me; she seems very self-possessed, almost stoic. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The portrait resonates deeply. Sargent was a master of conveying not just likeness but also character, wasn't he? Notice how the stark black dress both isolates her and accentuates her face and hands, these focal points where her inner world seems to reside. Think about what black signifies - formality, mourning, but also power and mystery. Does this resonate with your impression of her? Editor: I can see that. The black is a statement. I hadn't considered the layers of meaning there. What about the almost hidden images behind her, and what appears to be an icon on the wall? Curator: Exactly! That tiny Madonna and Child suggests a counterpoint, a realm of feminine virtue and perhaps a nod to her societal role, while the dark painting to the left perhaps symbolizes her own world or interior, a certain concealed and perhaps unknown interior life. This use of layering suggests much about the sitter. Sargent skillfully deployed familiar cultural symbols to add dimension and invite our interpretation. It makes you wonder what those meanings held for Elizabeth and her world. Editor: So, Sargent uses not just the sitter, but surrounding imagery as well, to create an overall impression. Curator: Precisely. Every detail is carefully considered. It speaks to how images become these containers of cultural memory, offering glimpses into the psychological landscape of a person and a period. What do you make of her expression now? Does it still seem stoic, or something else? Editor: Knowing the layers of symbolism, it seems less stoic, more…knowing. Reserved, but definitely aware. I see her in a different light now. Thank you for sharing this enlightening way to view the work! Curator: The pleasure is all mine. Looking closely at symbols allows us to see with new eyes, which really deepens the conversation.