Alice Cunningham Fletcher (1838-1923) 1888

Editor: This is Eleazer Hutchinson Miller's portrait of Alice Cunningham Fletcher. It has a dreamy, almost ethereal quality about it. What’s your take on this piece? Curator: It feels like a whisper from another time, doesn't it? The soft lines and muted tones give it a sense of intimacy, like we're glimpsing a private moment. I see a woman of quiet strength and intellect. Do you get that sense, too? Editor: Absolutely, there's a certain resolve in her gaze, but there's also vulnerability. It's quite compelling. Curator: Right? And Fletcher was fascinating. An ethnologist and reformer. To me, the portrait hints at her dedication to understanding and advocating for Native American rights. So, I see defiance! Editor: That adds a whole new layer of meaning. It's not just a portrait, but a statement. Curator: Exactly. Art's always in conversation, even when the artist is long gone.