Ora seconda di giorno 18th-19th century

Editor: This print, "Ora seconda di giorno" by Jacques-Louis Petit, depicts a figure seemingly suspended in air, reaching towards a radiant light. What do you see in this piece beyond the immediate visual elements? Curator: Considering Petit's era, this work embodies Neoclassical ideals while subtly challenging societal norms. The figure’s dynamic pose defies the passive femininity often portrayed. How does her agency resonate with you in light of the historical context? Editor: I see her strength and ambition, which is refreshing for the time. Curator: Precisely. Petit is perhaps encouraging dialogue about women's roles and capabilities within the constraints of 18th-century society, using classical aesthetics as a vehicle for progressive ideas. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, what Petit was advocating for in his time?