Portrait of the Artist's Wife 1898

Elliott Daingerfield made this pencil on paper drawing titled “Portrait of the Artist’s Wife” in the United States in 1895. The drawing depicts a woman, presumably his wife, in profile, seated and holding a small flower. Daingerfield's work often evokes a sense of intimacy and domesticity, but it’s important to consider the social and cultural context in which it was created. In the late 19th century, artistic circles were often deeply entrenched in traditional gender roles, with women frequently depicted as passive subjects within the domestic sphere. How does this image either conform to or depart from these established norms? Does it challenge or reinforce the prevailing social structures of its time? To fully understand this drawing, further research into the artist's life, the social dynamics of the art world at the time, and the reception of his work is invaluable. Art, after all, is rarely created in a vacuum.