Head Study of a Young Girl 1909

Edward Robert Hughes made this head study of a young girl using chalk in 1909. Hughes was closely associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement in Britain, a movement defined by its rejection of academic art and its focus on the art of the late medieval period. Here, Hughes presents us with a study in idealised beauty. Her gaze is averted and her posture demure, a highly gendered image that's consistent with the aesthetic values of the time. It reflects a conservative understanding of femininity that was prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th century British society. Hughes was deeply involved in the art world of Victorian England, exhibiting frequently at the Royal Academy. To fully understand art like this we must consider the social conditions of its time, not only its aesthetic qualities. We can explore exhibition histories, artists' writings, and the cultural debates of the period. These resources help us to understand the complex relationship between art and the institutions that shape it.