At the Milliner`s 1878

Editor: This is Renoir's "At the Milliner's," painted in 1878, using oil paint. It’s currently housed at the Fogg Museum. I'm struck by the woman's gaze; it's so direct, yet somehow also lost in thought. What do you see in this piece? Curator: For me, it’s impossible to look at this work without considering the social position of women during the Impressionist era. While the Impressionists are lauded for capturing modern life, that modernity was largely experienced differently across gender and class. Editor: Can you expand on that a bit? Curator: Think about the public and private spheres. Spaces like the milliner's shop were semi-public spaces where women could gather. But they were also sites where consumer culture shaped female identity. What does it mean to have a painting that portrays the fashion industry's influence on women's appearances and self-perception? Editor: So, it's more than just a pretty scene; it hints at a whole social dynamic. Is the gaze then a sign of both her agency and her being watched? Curator: Precisely. Renoir captures this duality. Are we, the viewers, also implicated in that gaze? Does the painting invite us to consider the dynamics of spectatorship, gender, and consumption? It begs the question: who profits from it? Who suffers? Editor: It’s fascinating to think about the act of viewing the painting and realizing that you are part of the historical context and commentary itself. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Curator: The pleasure is all mine! Thinking critically about the piece's relevance across time adds depth.