Palpitations 2019

Daria Theodora made this drawing called "Palpitations", probably in the late 20th century, and it's so detailed, you can feel the artist's hand moving across the page. I see a woman with an eagle, but it’s not just a picture, it’s like a whole world emerging. I can almost feel the way Theodora's hand moved. Look at the swirling lines and the precise hatching, building layer upon layer. Was she thinking about the vulnerability, the relationship between the woman and the bird? That eagle's claw is so expressive. It speaks of power, danger, but also fragility, almost as if it’s a metaphor for the human heart, laid bare. It makes me think about how we negotiate our feelings, our relationships, and our deepest fears. I wonder if maybe other illustrators have a conversation with Theodora across time, echoing themes of transformation and identity. Making art, after all, is never a solo act. It's about this beautiful exchange of seeing and feeling, of adding to the chorus.