Young Girl Dressing c. 1889

Laura Theresa Alma-Tadema created this pencil drawing, Young Girl Dressing, at the turn of the 20th century. Alma-Tadema, a painter herself, came from a family of artists and this drawing provides insight into the Victorian art world and the gendered expectations within it. During this era, women artists often found themselves confined to domestic subjects. While male artists explored a broader range of themes, women were steered toward portraits, still life, and scenes of domestic life. “Young Girl Dressing” is a study for a larger, more elaborate painting, yet it also stands on its own as an intimate glimpse into the private world of a young woman. The drawing can be seen as a reflection of both artistic constraints and opportunities of the time. Art historians have researched exhibition records, biographical accounts, and critical reviews to better understand women artists' contributions to the Victorian art scene. Through this we can reflect on how artistic expression is always shaped by the social and institutional context.