Portrait of Else Lampe Von Quita 1911

Here we have Theo van Rysselberghe's oil painting of Else Lampe Von Quita. Van Rysselberghe painted this portrait as part of the Belgian avant-garde movement, at a time when artists were questioning traditional methods. There’s a feeling of quiet contemplation in this piece, isn't there? Notice how Else's gaze avoids meeting ours. Her face is in profile, set against a decorative backdrop, perhaps reflecting society's expectations of women during this time. She doesn't have a direct voice, but rather is being perceived. The patterned wall behind her, along with her elegant attire, speaks to the constraints and expectations placed on upper-class women. The Impressionist style softens the edges and blends colors to give a sense of a fleeting moment, a feeling, or a memory. This makes me wonder: What was it like to be Else, to be caught between societal expectations and personal expression?