Portrait of a Woman c. 1870

John G. Ellinwood made this portrait of an unknown woman using crayon and watercolor, probably at the turn of the century. Portraits during this time were often acts of commemorating one’s status or perhaps one’s aspirations, but this one feels different. There’s an element of longing in her stare. Her face is pale, framed by dark, cascading curls which both soften and emphasize her gaze. The ruffles at her neck remind me of a delicate cage. In the late 19th century, women's roles were heavily proscribed by society. Could this portrait be a subtle defiance? A way to assert individuality within the confines of expectation? It’s hard not to see in her eyes a quiet strength, a refusal to be simply ornamental. She seems to challenge the viewer, asking to be seen not just as an image, but as a person.