Not Too Loud 

Mark Beck, a 20th-century artist, created this painting entitled 'Not Too Loud,' prompting us to consider the nuances of representation and voice. The work suggests ideas about who is seen and heard in society, and who is not. Consider the visual language: the figure's gesture to be silent, the backdrop of perhaps a natural landscape, and the choice of clothing. Beck may be highlighting the social constraints placed on young Black women, especially in spaces or situations where their voices are often marginalized or suppressed. The title itself turns our attention to the act of silencing. Is it self-imposed, or placed upon the subject by others? To fully understand the painting, one must engage with the historical context of the artist and the time in which it was created, drawing from research in cultural studies and social history to better understand the power dynamics at play.