Titania 

Editor: This is William Etty’s "Titania," with no exact date, residing at the Tate. It’s a drawing, and it feels dreamlike. I’m curious, what historical or social context is woven into this piece? Curator: Etty's fascination with the nude, particularly female figures, places him within a lineage of artists who explored idealized beauty. But how does this ideal intersect with the social constraints placed upon women during his time? Does Titania's portrayal challenge or reinforce those constraints, and how might contemporary feminist theory help us understand Etty's choices? Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn’t considered. Thanks! Curator: Considering the gaze, who is empowered in this scenario? Editor: Definitely something to keep in mind. Curator: Indeed.