Girl With Yellow Hat 1936

Curator: Welcome. We are looking at Norman Lewis’s "Girl With Yellow Hat" from 1936. It’s an oil on canvas portrait, showcasing a figure in repose. Editor: Immediately, I feel a sense of quiet melancholy. She’s hidden beneath that broad hat brim, almost shielding herself from the world. It’s a very introverted painting, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Indeed. Painted during the interwar period, the work can be understood within a broader artistic trend where artists explored interiority and psychological states. Lewis, later known for his abstract expressionism, shows a sensitivity to figurative representation here. It's a painting made at a time when Black artists were pushing against prescribed tropes. Editor: Absolutely. The limited palette also speaks volumes – muted tones, punctuated only by the brightness of the hat. It's like the hat is a symbol of a fleeting joy, contrasted with the more somber mood of the rest of the scene. Is it joy or maybe defiance? Curator: One could certainly interpret it that way. Looking at his wider oeuvre and considering Lewis’s involvement in the Harlem art scene, there’s a subtle dialogue occurring about visibility, representation and perhaps even the performance of identity. The hat may offer a layer of anonymity but at the same time suggests agency on the sitter’s part. Editor: It makes you wonder about the story behind that hidden face. Is she contemplative, weary, or something else entirely? What secrets does she carry? Curator: The fact that we are left wondering is precisely the point. Unlike conventional portraiture, it prompts questions instead of providing answers. The painting resists simple readings, and is open for conversation. Editor: Well, that makes me think maybe there is hope underneath that big bright hat, after all! Maybe not melancholy, just pensiveness. I've changed my mind, again! Curator: Ultimately, “Girl with Yellow Hat” demonstrates Lewis's early engagement with portraying nuanced emotions and experiences. It remains a compelling piece for discussion today. Editor: A captivating glimpse into a moment suspended in time, where we find the unspoken stories the most intriguing, indeed!