[title not known] 

Curator: This is a delicate pencil drawing held in the Tate Collections; a portrait by Elizabeth Rigby, dating probably from the mid-19th century. Editor: Intimate, and somewhat melancholic. I'm immediately struck by the texture of the paper itself – you can almost feel its slight roughness. Curator: Yes, and the sitter’s headwear seems to imply a certain cultural identity, perhaps recalling traditional, even archaic roles. Editor: It's intriguing how much expression she conveys with such minimal application of material. The very lightness of the pencil strokes suggests a fragility, perhaps even vulnerability. Curator: It prompts questions about the sitter's social standing and personal history within a patriarchal society. Editor: I find myself considering the labor invested in its creation, despite its modest scale and means. Its survival itself speaks to an enduring value placed upon it. Curator: Indeed. It invites us to reflect on memory and the enduring power of portraits. Editor: A lovely little glimpse into the past, made visible through accessible materials.