Eva Gonzalès Turned to the Left c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Edouard Manet's sketch of "Eva Gonzalès Turned to the Left." It's a simple, elegant drawing. What do you see in this portrait? Curator: I see the complexities of a female artist's position in 19th-century Paris. Manet mentored Gonzalès, but their relationship was fraught with the power dynamics of the time. Do you think this sketch captures her individuality, or is she simply a muse? Editor: That's a good question. I hadn't considered the power dynamics between them. I suppose it's hard to know from a quick sketch like this. Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to reflect on how women artists were often viewed and portrayed through the male gaze, and the challenges they faced in asserting their own artistic voice. Editor: I learned a lot from this piece. Thank you. Curator: Me too. It's important to question the narratives we see in art.