Untitled (portrait of woman with fur stole and feathered hat) 1910

Curator: This striking silver gelatin print, attributed to the Hamblin Studio, captures a woman in a fur stole and feathered hat. What is your immediate impression? Editor: Ethereal, almost ghostly. The negative presentation, the fur and feathers, gives her an otherworldly appearance. Curator: The garments speak to the evolving roles of women in society. Fashion became a tool for self-expression and claiming public space. Editor: Absolutely. Fur and feathers are historically tied to status, but here they hint at transformation and liberation. What do you think the gloves symbolize? Curator: Perhaps a sense of formality, a holding onto tradition amidst change. It's a fascinating tension. Editor: It really is. This image has staying power, even without knowing the sitter, there’s a timelessness about it. Curator: Yes, the portrait functions as both a document of its time and a reflection of enduring human desires.