Woman in a Straw Hat c. 1790

This captivating portrait of a woman in a straw hat, crafted by an anonymous hand, resides here at the Art Institute of Chicago. The hat itself, adorned with feathers and ribbons, speaks of vanity and social display, yet it is the feather that truly fascinates. Since antiquity, feathers have symbolized status, spirituality, and freedom. Think of the Egyptian goddess Ma'at, with her single feather representing truth and cosmic balance, or the feathered headdresses of indigenous cultures, emblems of power and connection to the spirit world. Here, however, the feather takes on a different guise. Plucked from its bird, it has become a mere ornament, a signifier of worldly status. Yet, deep within our collective memory, the feather still whispers of flight and transcendence. It’s a psychological dance, a tension between aspiration and the earthly constraints of human existence, forever embedded in this intriguing portrait.