Schrijvende vrouw 1823 - 1873

Curator: I find the woman writing deeply contemplative and a little bit lonely, would you agree? There’s such an immense intimacy captured, it feels as if we’ve interrupted a private moment. Editor: It certainly evokes intimacy. The image is titled "Schrijvende Vrouw," which translates to "Writing Woman." Created between 1823 and 1873 by Célestin Nanteuil, this engraving utilizes ink to present a captivating depiction of a woman in the act of writing. Considering its genre and style, its ties to history painting are also significant. It is realism but idealized, wouldn't you say? Curator: Yes, idealized with incredible realism. The detail in her worn hands holding the quill, it reminds me of my grandmother scribbling in her recipe book. Do you think she is writing a letter? Or maybe keeping a journal? Perhaps a confession, I wonder what's she's sharing with paper, since not with us. Editor: Her very act of writing feels inherently subversive. The tools of literacy – ink and paper, quill and light, a surface on which to make her mark – signify empowerment and agency at a time when those were still a privilege for many women. Perhaps the scene conveys the intersection of the personal and political—writing can indeed be a revolutionary act. What about the picture on the wall; it looks almost religious and probably indicates devotion, yet is somewhat at odds with the overall impression of empowerment. Curator: Good point, yes! It could indicate the dichotomy between women's roles as seen then: domestic and spiritual caregiver versus active agent and intellectual. A woman was never just one thing back then and she still is not. Even her headdress both constrains and frames her. Does it hide her or protect her? The stark lines really emphasize those conflicting pulls. Editor: It’s an incredibly powerful contrast of light and shadow; Nanteuil skillfully employed it to convey internal and external barriers faced by women of the time. So I was touched by this simple yet emotionally deep composition that resonates just as profoundly today. Curator: Me too, me too...I felt almost transported and I wish that woman luck with writing the world she needs.