Physician, from the Occupations for Women series (N166) for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes 1887

Editor: This is "Physician, from the Occupations for Women series" made around 1887, by Goodwin & Company. It's a colour drawing printed for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes! It's so striking because of the contrasts; the vivid colors against the gray backdrop, the plush textures, the geometry of the composition. I'm particularly curious about the choices the artist made and how they work together. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The chromatic interplay is quite intriguing, isn’t it? The juxtaposition of the bright yellows and blues of the figure’s clothing with the muted background establishes a clear foreground/background relationship, effectively pushing the figure forward. Consider also the artist's use of line. The curves of the table, chair, and figure work harmoniously against the rigid verticals of the architectural elements, creating a structured yet dynamic visual plane. What do you make of that spatial relationship? Editor: It feels a bit unbalanced, almost as if the woman is superimposed onto the setting. The line work on her especially looks very different. Almost like the style changed entirely. Curator: Precisely. Note also how the artist employs texture. The rendering of the fur stole in short, rapid strokes stands in sharp contrast to the smoother surfaces elsewhere, drawing attention to the artifice and perhaps satirizing the "occupation" portrayed. Do you think the composition challenges traditional artistic structures? Editor: I think so. Looking at it that way definitely adds another layer to understanding what I'm looking at. I can see all sorts of challenges to how the scene could've been assembled and rendered! Thank you! Curator: Indeed. By closely examining formal qualities like color, line, texture, and space, we’ve gained deeper insights into the strategies at play. Analyzing artistic strategies will make for an engaging tour.