Head of a Nun c. 17th century

Curator: This is "Head of a Nun," attributed to Jean-Baptiste de Champaigne. It's a drawing rendered in graphite and perhaps a touch of red chalk. Editor: She looks peaceful, but almost as if she's surrendered to something. The closed eyes evoke a sort of quiet resignation. Curator: The image of the cloistered nun speaks to the limited agency afforded to women in religious orders, particularly during the early modern period. The vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience... Editor: But her face also carries a sense of interiority, a self-contained world. The habit, a potent symbol of piety, simultaneously obscures and empowers her. Curator: Precisely. The visual language surrounding monastic life often reinforced existing power dynamics. But this particular piece presents a challenge because of how understated it is. Editor: It invites empathy, complicating any easy conclusions about her identity or her life. Curator: Indeed, it's a striking portrayal that urges us to reflect on the complexities of faith and selfhood. Editor: I agree. I see both vulnerability and strength there.