Doll - "Narcissa Savery" c. 1937

Josephine Romano created this watercolour doll design, "Narcissa Savery". We see a figure dominated by contrasting visual elements: a burgundy cape with an orange trim, a white dress covered with red and blue floral patterns, and a face with a somber expression. The doll’s design balances geometric precision with organic motifs, reflecting a broader artistic tension between structure and spontaneity. The artist uses color strategically, where the muted burgundy of the cape against the playful floral dress creates a visual dialogue that animates the figure. The composition suggests an exploration into how visual signs communicate cultural values. The doll is both an object and an idea, its design influenced by aesthetic trends and social meanings. The precise, even strokes of the watercolour contrast with the whimsical nature of the doll itself, highlighting a tension between control and freedom. This tension plays into the structuralist concern with underlying systems of meaning. This dynamic invites us to consider how art not only reflects but also actively participates in the construction of cultural values.