A Lady in Full Dress, Seen from Behind 

Editor: This is Samuel Scott's "A Lady in Full Dress, Seen from Behind," from the 18th century, held at the Tate. The perspective is unusual and a bit melancholic. What can you tell me about it? Curator: It's fascinating how Scott, primarily a marine painter, presents this figure. The turned back challenges typical portraiture and its power dynamics. What does it say about the woman's agency, or lack thereof, in the art world and society at the time? Editor: That's interesting! I never thought of it that way. Curator: Consider the public role of women, the limited access they had to artistic representation, and the politics inherent in how they were depicted. The anonymity here could be a statement. Editor: So, it's not just a fashion study, but a commentary on social constraints? That’s really changed my perception. Curator: Exactly! It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple images can reflect complex power structures.