Girl in Spanish Costume c. 1930

Here we see Norman Rockwell’s oil on canvas painting *Girl in Spanish Costume.* During Rockwell's career, the social and cultural landscape of America was marked by both a growing sense of national identity and the persistence of complex racial and ethnic stereotypes. This work captures a moment of leisure. There is a girl in a fanciful red dress, holding a glass, seated in a plush chair. Yet, it also reflects the dynamics of cultural appropriation and exoticism prevalent during that time. The representation of the "Spanish costume" may speak to a broader cultural fascination with, and sometimes misinterpretation of, foreign cultures. Rockwell's image invites reflection on the ways in which cultural identities are portrayed, consumed, and sometimes diluted through popular imagery. While seemingly celebratory, consider the emotional implications for those whose cultural heritage is reduced to mere costume.