Susan Poinsett 1802

Editor: This is "Susan Poinsett," a miniature portrait painted around 1802 by Edward Greene Malbone. The simplicity of the composition really strikes me. It feels intimate and quiet, almost like a memory. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see layers of social and personal identity reflected through seemingly simple visual choices. Consider the white headscarf, a common element in portraits of women at the time, but one that also carries religious and class connotations depending on its specific style. Does it evoke piety, modesty, or perhaps even a subtle rebellion against elaborate aristocratic fashion? Editor: That’s interesting, I hadn't considered the scarf beyond its aesthetic function. So you’re saying that the symbolism embedded in something as seemingly minor as a head covering can reveal a lot about the sitter's identity? Curator: Precisely. Think about the deliberate choices Malbone, and indeed Susan herself, were making about how she was being presented. This was a period of emerging national identity in America. How might Susan and Malbone use conventional visual symbols to create a sense of American identity or even convey moral character? Look at her direct gaze, for instance; does it communicate anything to you? Editor: I guess it feels like an invitation, not flirtatious but… open? Like she's offering a genuine encounter? Curator: Exactly! It's this subtle dance between prescribed social roles and individual expression that makes the portrait so compelling. And what about the oval shape; does that conjure up anything to you? Editor: It sort of focuses my gaze... or does it suggest this is from an album? Curator: Both are likely valid! Overall, the image is a wonderful glimpse into the negotiation of identity in early America. What do you take away from the work? Editor: I now understand how portraiture captures not just likeness but reflects someone’s status, values and relationship to community, making it much more insightful. Thanks!