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Editor: Here we have a sketch by Lady Wharncliffe, from the late 18th or early 19th century, housed in the Tate. It feels so delicate and preliminary. What can you tell me about the context of such a piece? Curator: Sketches like this offer a peek into the artistic process, but also into the social conventions surrounding women artists at the time. Consider how limited their access was to formal training compared to their male peers. Editor: So, this sketch gives us insight into those limitations? Curator: Precisely. The sketch could have been a study for a larger, more ‘acceptable’ work or simply a personal artistic exploration, kept within a private sphere due to the prevailing societal expectations. It speaks volumes about the public role, or lack thereof, afforded to women artists. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure!