Doll--"Cornelia" c. 1937

Curator: Anne Colman created this piece, “Doll – ‘Cornelia’”, around 1937 using watercolors and colored pencil. What's your initial response to it? Editor: I find myself drawn to the delicate balance between its formality and dreamlike quality. There's an inherent stillness, but the vivid hues—the raspberry gown especially—suggest something about to unfold. Curator: Dolls, historically, exist at a complex intersection. They are objects of play, symbols of innocence, yet they also reflect societal expectations placed upon women. Editor: Yes, I notice how the artist played with color harmony here; it contributes significantly to the aesthetic value. See how the bright blue accents and the fresh posy contrast with the rich tones in the dress to draw your eye? Curator: The high collar is evocative, perhaps pointing toward the constraints of Edwardian fashion, yet, considering this piece was created closer to the 1940s, there might be a sense of longing for an era gone by. This doll's costuming serves as an archive. Editor: Thinking about materials: Watercolor is uniquely suited for achieving that translucent skin and soft folds of fabric. Also the artist created texture to imply dimension within a predominantly flat medium. It feels very carefully considered. Curator: Right, and beyond surface beauty, Cornelia symbolizes constructed identity. The rosy gown, rather than concealing her, highlights the role that outward adornment played in defining female identity. I wonder to what degree Colman sought to question, embrace, or negotiate that notion? Editor: The precision in her rendering suggests an almost scientific, analytical approach. Notice how detailed, yet reserved, the depiction is— it doesn’t overly romanticize. Curator: Absolutely. What we see here extends far beyond pretty aesthetics; this becomes an important reflection of the social codes imbuing the cultural life of that period. Editor: Indeed. Now seeing the nuances, I appreciate it more than my initial viewing offered! Curator: Precisely!