Spanish Lady 1962

Editor: This is Cecil Collins' "Spanish Lady" from the Tate collection, made sometime during his life. It's a monochromatic print, and I'm immediately drawn to the ethereal quality of the figure. What strikes you about it? Curator: Considering Collins' history, his interest in the Fool as a figure of innocence and social commentary is important. Do you see any of that here, perhaps in the way the figure is presented? How does this image play into constructions of femininity in art history? Editor: I hadn't thought about the Fool. I suppose there's a vulnerability in the starkness, maybe a comment on societal expectations of women? Curator: Exactly! And the print medium itself democratizes art, making it accessible beyond elite circles. Collins' choice reflects a desire to engage a wider audience, to perhaps challenge them. Editor: That makes me see the image completely differently, especially within its historical context. Thanks!