Design for a a Mirror with a Rounded Top 1770 - 1821

This is John Yenn's design for a mirror with a rounded top, made with pen and watercolor. The piece reflects the cultural norms of the late 18th century. Consider how mirrors have historically been associated with vanity and self-reflection, often playing a significant role in constructing identity. The rounded top and delicate ornamentation, featuring classical motifs and what seem to be busts in profile, evoke a sense of refinement and status. The mirror and its elaborate frame are a display of wealth and taste, accessible only to the upper classes. The identity of those represented on the mirror's frame—who gets memorialized—is an expression of power. The design lacks the visual language used to discuss intersectionality. The artwork is a reminder of the historical power structures that shaped artistic expression and consumption.