Portrait head of a woman 

Editor: Here we have "Portrait head of a woman," attributed to Evelyn De Morgan. The work is striking for its quiet simplicity, a colored pencil sketch really. It makes me think of a preparatory study, but also, maybe that quietness *is* the point? What do you make of it? Curator: It's interesting you point out that sense of quietude. Thinking historically, and knowing De Morgan’s broader artistic context, that tranquility itself becomes a kind of statement. Editor: How so? Curator: The late 19th century, when De Morgan was active, was a period of intense debate about the role of women in society, the growth of the Aesthetic movement, a very dynamic socio-political environment. In her finished works, De Morgan addressed myths and history, in grand canvases often laden with symbolic and feminist undertones. However, the woman in this portrait presents an understated visual alternative, particularly from the artistic style of Pre-Raphaelite painting prominent at that time, which would present female sitters as active and sometimes overtly seductive participants. Editor: So, it's a kind of quiet rebellion? A rejection of the performative aspects of femininity pushed by Pre-Raphaelites? Curator: Precisely. Instead, this is a tender depiction of quiet confidence that challenges prevailing societal portrayals, by showing a thoughtful moment, where the sitter presents herself on her own terms. Do you find her gaze defiant or more contemplative? Editor: Contemplative. She looks like she has important things on her mind. I hadn't considered how much portraits can be, not just reflections of a person, but a statement about their place and role. Curator: Exactly! Considering this within that social frame adds a depth that transcends just the artistic skill evident in the lines themselves. Editor: I’ll never look at portraits the same way. Thanks!