Lolla Toel c. 19th century

Editor: This is Edward Martin Taber's drawing, Lolla Toel. It’s a simple head-and-shoulders portrait, and I am struck by how direct and unidealized it feels. What can you tell me about this image? Curator: Well, portraits like this often reflect societal ideals of beauty or status. But you're right, this feels different. What could the artist be saying about the subject by presenting her so plainly, without adornment? How might this have challenged the expectations of portraiture at the time? Editor: Perhaps it's about capturing the individual, rather than fulfilling a social expectation? Curator: Exactly. And who gets to be seen this way is often dictated by power structures. Who gets to be represented without the gloss of societal expectations? I wonder if Taber was making a conscious statement about representation itself. Editor: It is fascinating how something that seems straightforward can raise questions about who has the right to be seen authentically. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It shows the power an image can have!