The American Beauty 

Harrison Fisher, around the turn of the century, painted this image of idealised American beauty. It depicts an elegant woman adorned with the trappings of high society: an elaborate updo, feather decoration, opera gloves, and a draped shawl. The feather, particularly, is an ancient symbol of status and power. We see it worn by Egyptian pharaohs, medieval knights, and indigenous peoples across the globe. This symbol has morphed through history, from a mark of divine authority to an accoutrement of secular fashion, yet the association with privilege remains. Here, the feather is less about power and more about aspiration. It evokes a sense of longing and desire, both in the woman and in the viewer. It suggests an emotional complexity—a tension between the desire for material status and the inherent human need for something more profound. The cyclical nature of symbols means that the feather is constantly being imbued with new layers of meaning. It remains a potent reminder of the ever-changing, ever-present forces shaping our desires and aspirations.