Six studies of female heads 1622 - 1703

Editor: Here we have “Six studies of female heads,” dating sometime between 1622 and 1703, displayed at the SMK. They’re ink and charcoal drawings and have an unfinished, exploratory quality. What do you see in this work beyond studies of anonymous models? Curator: I see a glimpse into the artist's process, certainly. But more compelling is to consider how these seemingly simple studies embody the power dynamics inherent in image-making of the time. Consider, who was given the opportunity to be represented, and under what conditions? Editor: That's interesting. Can you elaborate? Curator: These are likely academic studies, meant for refining the artist's skills. But look at the features, the hairstyles. They conform to a very specific European ideal of beauty. We must ask, what narratives were these images ultimately meant to serve? How did these depictions reinforce or challenge prevailing societal norms regarding women's roles and representation? And whose voices are missing here? Editor: So, it’s not enough to see these as mere sketches; they’re also historical documents reflecting specific cultural biases. Curator: Precisely! And it is our job to read them critically, accounting for context and absence. Who gets to draw, who gets drawn, and how these images circulated within the artistic and social spheres are all crucial questions to address. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. This makes me want to re-evaluate other classical artworks too. Curator: It's about peeling back the layers and acknowledging the complex histories embedded within them, engaging in continuous dialogue about representation and power.