Portrait of a Lady 1827 1827

Editor: Here we have Horace Vernet's "Portrait of a Lady", dated to 1827, at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small drawing and somehow feels so intimate. What can you tell me about this artwork? Curator: This portrait provides a glimpse into the rising importance of individual identity in the 19th century. How do institutions, like museums, shape our understanding and value of works like this today? Editor: That's a great question. I guess, by preserving and exhibiting it, they emphasize its cultural significance. Curator: Precisely! And the act of selecting which portraits to display also reflects societal values of the time, doesn't it? Food for thought. Editor: Yes, absolutely. I'll keep that in mind.