Portret van een zittende vrouw met wandelstok 1902 - 1903

Editor: We are looking at "Portrait of a Seated Woman with Walking Stick" by Felix Hess, created around 1902. It’s an ink drawing, and the woman has such a direct gaze! What’s your interpretation of this work? Curator: I see it as a snapshot of societal constraints and expectations placed upon women at the turn of the century. The walking stick and her upright posture suggest independence, yet her elaborate hat and formal dress simultaneously point to the rigid social norms of the time. How do you see the drawing technique influencing this reading? Editor: The linework does seem… deliberate. Like the artist is capturing a moment but also upholding a certain formality. The shading seems to emphasise her presence but also boxes her in somehow. Curator: Exactly. And consider where this work might have been displayed. Was it meant for a public exhibition, a private collection, or even as a study? The intended audience and the venue would significantly influence its interpretation and the power dynamics at play. Do you see any tension in how she presents herself? Editor: Now that you mention it, yes. Her hat and attire seem almost defiant, a declaration of status maybe? But the drawing also conveys a hint of… melancholy? Curator: It's that very push and pull, between societal expectations and individual expression, that makes this drawing so compelling. It’s not just a portrait; it's a social document. Editor: This makes me think about the artist's role too! Was Felix Hess celebrating or critiquing societal norms through this portrait? Curator: That's the question isn’t it? It forces us to really think about the agency of both the sitter and the artist, and the complex interplay of power inherent in portraiture, then and now. Thanks, this was really enlightening! Editor: Definitely food for thought. Thank you.