Fanny Kemble 1902

Editor: This is Henry Wolf's engraving of Fanny Kemble. The dramatic lighting and ruffled collar give it such a theatrical feel. What do you see in it? Curator: The ruff certainly commands attention, doesn't it? Consider how a raised collar often signifies intellect or defiance. Kemble was a famous actress, yes, but also a writer and abolitionist. Could this detail highlight her intellectual, even rebellious, spirit? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the symbolism of the clothing itself. Thanks! Curator: Symbols often lie in plain sight.