Dame med sort kappe over hovedet og maske i hånden 1699 - 1762

Curator: This work is attributed to Andreas Møller and dates from around 1699 to 1762. It's titled "Dame med sort kappe over hovedet og maske i hånden," which translates to "Lady with black cloak over her head and mask in hand." The painting is currently housed at the SMK, the National Gallery of Denmark. Editor: It’s strikingly stark in its monochrome palette; the woman’s gaze holds such melancholic intrigue, doesn’t it? The contrast of the cloak against her pale skin is quite arresting, as is the unsettling emptiness of the mask. Curator: I find it fascinating how the artist uses the mask to explore the idea of identity in that period, perhaps even performativity. The upper classes were invested in theatrical performances, attending masquerade balls, engaging in all these layers of performative expression in order to conceal the true self, particularly in a society dictated by very strict class-based roles and codes of conduct. Editor: The mask is powerful and quite ominous in appearance, with its almost animalistic shape, its blackness emphasizes the mystery and hidden truths beneath social appearance. This image of the mask recalls a collective anxiety of those in a rapidly changing, Baroque era, even the cloak covering the subject indicates a sense of self-imposed shielding from view, so it is very emotionally ambiguous for viewers. Curator: Exactly! Considering Baroque artistic values in relation to identity, how could we apply ideas of feminism and explore women’s expression? It gives agency, as women also sought to express or disguise the constraints forced upon them during this historical moment. Editor: Her own gaze also hints at knowledge of power play as it meets the audience, her grasp on that particular mask becomes something quite deliberate and calculated. Curator: Agreed. The artwork feels rich with a potent mixture of personal shielding, political commentary, and socio-economic power. Editor: Definitely leaves me with plenty to consider. The work continues to be both unsettling and captivating!