Two Ladies of Ancient Rome c. 1893

Paolo Mei made this graphite drawing of Two Ladies of Ancient Rome on blue paper, but when exactly we do not know. The scene depicts a woman gazing into a mirror held in her left hand, while another stands holding a jug or vase. The work invites a dialogue between historical romanticism and contemporary questions about how women are viewed. How might ancient Roman women have viewed themselves, and what role did beauty and self-perception play in their lives? The woman looking in the mirror provides an interesting contrast to the other woman, who has a tool for domestic work. These women’s identities are shaped by gendered expectations, whether in the private act of self-regard, or in carrying out domestic tasks. Perhaps Mei is inviting us to consider the parallel between ancient ideals of femininity and those of his own time. It’s tempting to see these women not just as figures from the past, but as reflections of ongoing conversations about identity, beauty, and the roles women play, both then and now.