Modesty, after antiquity c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Nathaniel Marchant's "Modesty, after antiquity," an undated intaglio made of glass paste. It's so small! What strikes me is how a concept like modesty is rendered in such a classical form. What's your take on this? Curator: The title is doing quite a lot of work, isn't it? Marchant invites us to consider how "modesty"—a historically gendered expectation—is itself a construct, inherited and performed. How might viewing this through a feminist lens shift our understanding of its original context? Editor: That's fascinating! It makes me wonder about the power dynamics inherent in defining and representing modesty. Curator: Exactly. And who benefits from those power dynamics? Thinking critically about these older works really illuminates contemporary discussions about gender and representation. Editor: I never thought about it that way before. Thanks for opening my eyes! Curator: My pleasure! It's always rewarding to consider art as a reflection of—and challenge to—societal norms.