Sarah Phillips Church c. 1828 - 1835

Editor: Here we have John S. Blunt’s "Sarah Phillips Church," a portrait of a woman in a blue dress. She appears quite self-possessed. How do you read this portrait, considering the social context of the time? Curator: It's intriguing how Blunt, also known as The Borden Limner, captures Sarah. Her gaze and the book she holds suggest literacy and a certain level of independence. But what does it mean to depict a woman this way in a period where societal expectations were very different? Editor: It's interesting that you mention the book. Could that be a symbol of her agency? Curator: Precisely! The book acts as a powerful signifier. Consider the limited educational opportunities available to women then. This portrait may be subtly challenging those norms, presenting Sarah as an educated, thinking individual. Is this a radical act? Perhaps. Editor: I see what you mean. It’s not just a pretty picture, but a statement. Curator: Exactly! It encourages us to reflect on the roles women played, or were allowed to play, and how art can subtly subvert expectations.