By a Clear Pool, Wherein She Passioned to See Herself 1885

Will Hicok Low created "By a Clear Pool, Wherein She Passioned to See Herself" in 1893 using watercolor and graphite. The limited grayscale palette establishes a quiet, reflective mood. Our attention is drawn to the interplay of form, line, and reflection. The composition invites a semiotic reading. The woman’s classical drapery and downcast gaze evoke a sense of timelessness and introspection. The pool functions as a mirror, a signifier of self-awareness and vanity, playing on the myth of Narcissus. Low uses structural elements to destabilize fixed meanings. The woman’s reflection blurs the line between reality and illusion, challenging our perception of identity. The delicate brushwork and diffused light add to the ethereal quality of the scene. Note how the artist uses the formal properties of reflection to explore themes of self-perception. This pushes the boundaries of representation, inviting us to question the nature of identity itself, not just aesthetically but also as part of a larger cultural and philosophical discourse.