A Young Lady With A Mirror 

Emile Vernon painted ‘A Young Lady With A Mirror’ during an era profoundly shaped by evolving ideals of femininity and class distinctions. Vernon, who was working at a time of considerable social change, presents us with a vision of delicate beauty. The woman's identity seems inextricably linked to her adornments – the pearl necklace, the fur stole, the meticulously arranged hair – all symbols of upper-class status. But look at the intimacy of the scene, the soft pinks, the woman's direct gaze. There's a palpable tension between the objectification of women, and the assertion of individual identity. The mirror becomes a symbol of self-reflection but also raises questions about how women perceive themselves, and the societal expectations that shape their self-image. What does it mean to be seen, and to see oneself, in a world that places such emphasis on appearance and class?