Mrs. George Lingen 1842

Curator: Thomas Sully painted this portrait of Mrs. George Lingen in 1842, using oil on canvas. The piece exemplifies the Romanticism of the era, doesn’t it? Editor: It absolutely exudes that gentle, almost melancholic light of Romanticism! But the first thing that struck me was that absolutely enormous hat! It seems to command as much attention as her face, perhaps even more so. Curator: Hats like these were not uncommon; they signaled status, wealth, and, of course, protection from the sun. But, look closely, the execution, especially in the fabric's fall and rendering of the shawl is where the labor becomes visible. These textiles carry significance in a social context. Editor: You're right, the fabric does seem alive, like it’s breathing along with her. There's a softness, a fluidity in the folds that invites touch, even a kind of whispered intimacy, like a secret between the fabric and her skin. Do you think the hat symbolizes something specific about her? Curator: Symbolism within garments points to a certain societal placement for the sitter and reveals what they want the public to perceive about them. For example, we can gather the Lingen family belonged to a class with specific tastes and ideals. Editor: It also hints at mystery, don't you think? Part of her face is obscured, creating this lovely visual tension—we are invited closer, intrigued, wanting to know her. It's almost as if the hat becomes an extension of her personality, a visible manifestation of her inner world. It protects her from us while simultaneously luring us in. Curator: That lure is enhanced by Sully's keen handling of light and shadow, but also it represents a carefully cultivated image crafted to solidify and reproduce her societal station. Editor: Well, even though I am enchanted by this woman and her enormous, intriguing hat, I agree it is so interesting to delve into these social contexts around the work. Curator: Indeed, thinking about all the materials that made this piece, from the pigments and linen canvas to Mrs. Lingen's very costly attire, opens up a rich dialogue.