Head of a model 

John William Waterhouse painted this study of a model's head in oil on canvas sometime during his career. Waterhouse's art was deeply influenced by Pre-Raphaelite ideals, a movement known for its romantic and idealized depictions of women. In this piece, the model's averted gaze and delicate features reflect the Victorian era's notions of feminine beauty and passivity. Yet, looking closely, we might ask ourselves what it meant to be a woman whose image was perpetually in the service of male fantasy. What were her desires, her ambitions? The flower at her breast, a common symbol in art, could represent beauty, but it might also speak to the fleeting nature of youth and the constraints placed upon women of the time. "Head of a Model" invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between the artist, the model, and the cultural expectations that shaped their interactions. It’s a reminder of the untold stories behind the faces we see in art.