Juliet 

Sofia Bonati's 'Juliet' appears to be made with watercolor and graphite on paper. These are traditional art materials, but the way Bonati handles them is anything but conventional. The graphite work is especially compelling. Look closely, and you will see that it creates soft tones and subtle textures, lending a ghostly quality to the figure. This is contrasted with the fluid and vibrant qualities of the watercolor. The combination of control and spontaneity is really striking. The layering of botanical forms around the central figure creates a dreamlike effect, blurring the boundaries between the portrait and its decorative surroundings. It suggests a deep engagement with both classical portraiture and the decorative arts, challenging the traditional hierarchy between the two. With its delicate craftsmanship, the artwork invites us to reconsider the relationship between fine art and craft.