16. Table XVI. Combination of Features of the Artful 

Editor: This is Alexander Cozens' "16. Table XVI. Combination of Features of the Artful," a drawing held at the Tate. The delicate lines give the figure a serene quality. How do you interpret this portrait? Curator: It's intriguing how Cozens attempts to codify beauty here. Consider the gaze—downcast, suggesting modesty, a virtue prized in women. Does this portrayal reinforce or subvert societal expectations of women in the 18th century? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. The title, "The Artful," adds another layer. Curator: Exactly! Is she artful in her beauty, or is she actively constructing a persona? Food for thought about the performance of gender. Editor: This has given me a lot to think about. Thanks!