Room four one 

Nigel Van Wieck made this intriguing pastel drawing called ‘Room four one’ in the 20th century. It depicts a woman in heels and a blue top, gazing at herself in the mirror, alongside a man reclining on a bed. It's fascinating how this image uses visual codes and cultural references to play with the idea of perception. Made in a time of changing attitudes toward gender and sexuality, the image seems to comment on the social structures of its own time. The power dynamic between the figures, the woman’s self-awareness versus the man's disinterest, all point to a critique of traditional relationships. The institutional history of art is relevant here, with the male gaze being a long-standing subject for artists. As historians, understanding the artwork means delving into the cultural context of its creation. We might explore gender studies, social history, and even the artist's own biography to better understand the piece. After all, the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.