The waiting room 

Nieves Mingueza's artwork presents us with a study of longing and anticipation, primarily through the averted gaze of the subject. This downward glance, a motif as old as art itself, carries a wealth of meaning. In antiquity, such a gesture might signify humility or mourning. Consider the depictions of Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross, eyes cast down in sorrow. Yet, Mingueza subtly subverts this traditional reading. The floral wallpaper evokes a sense of domesticity and hidden narratives, a common theme in Pre-Raphaelite paintings, indicating perhaps suppressed desires or untold stories of women. The plain paper rectangle covering the upper part of the image, a stark contrast to the details of the face, amplifies a sense of concealment, almost as if a story is being partially censored or obscured. This isn't merely about sadness or meekness; it's a complex psychological landscape where the act of looking away becomes an act of contemplation, a powerful force that resonates in our collective memory, engaging viewers in a deep, subconscious reflection of their own expectations and inner thoughts. The symbols in this image remind us of the cyclical progression of human emotions throughout time.