Drawing for the short story "The Ugly Sister" by D. Vikelas 1901

Editor: So, this is Georgios Jakobides's "Drawing for the short story 'The Ugly Sister' by D. Vikelas," from 1901, rendered with ink, watercolor, pencil and charcoal on paper. It feels...domestic, almost stifling. The figures seem trapped within the frame. What strikes you about it? Curator: Trapped, yes! I feel that. It’s like catching a charged moment between these two, forever suspended in time. The stark contrasts emphasize this sense of dramatic tension, doesn't it? See how Jakobides uses light and shadow? Where do your eyes go first? Editor: I think I focus on the woman's face – it's the brightest point in the composition. Then to her hands and the garment she holds. I keep wanting to know her thoughts! Is she the 'ugly sister' of the title? Curator: Perhaps “ugly” refers not to outward appearance but to something… less visible? Her expression, though serene, holds a depth, wouldn’t you agree? The circular line, almost like a halo above their heads, isolates them in the space of this room but does that mean also something in the context of her relation with the man? What does this remind you of? Editor: It is as though the artist forces our attention there. I wonder about the domestic symbolism; the sewing suggests duty or labour, while her gaze speaks of resignation or acceptance of a predetermined destiny. Curator: Precisely. And there's an inherent beauty in portraying what some may call "ugly." The drawing doesn’t shy away from complexity. Editor: Thinking about that kind of contrast makes the title resonate differently now! Curator: Agreed, that Jakobides gave a lot of considerations to convey that kind of messages in his drawings. Editor: It's incredible how a drawing, even seemingly simple, can hold so much nuance. I will go and reread that story with fresh eyes. Thanks!