Penelope’s Dream 1805

Curator: This is John Flaxman’s "Penelope's Dream," currently held in the Tate Collections. It evokes such stillness. The stark lines and minimal shading create a sense of profound solitude. Editor: Absolutely. Flaxman was working in a time obsessed with classical themes. I find it interesting how he strips away the typical baroque drama. Curator: The image is reduced to its most essential forms. The drapery, for example, follows a precise, almost geometric arrangement. Editor: Exactly, that reduction also speaks to the rise of Neoclassicism and its emphasis on rationalism and order following the French Revolution. Curator: Agreed. The dream itself, the subject, underscores the emotional intensity beneath this restrained exterior. The linear quality of the work lends itself to introspection. Editor: It is a fascinating commentary on gender roles and the long-suffering wife stuck waiting. Curator: Indeed. Flaxman gives us a glimpse into Penelope's inner world. Editor: A poignant blend of form and narrative.