"Feline Amenities" 1890

Curator: This is George Louis du Maurier’s "Feline Amenities," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a very sharp and satirical bite to it. Everyone seems frozen, almost embalmed in their social posturing. Curator: Du Maurier often used his art to dissect the rituals of Victorian society, especially the upper class and their pursuit of leisure. The title itself hints at the commodification of women. Editor: Absolutely. The woman, perhaps Mrs. Masham from the inscription, is presented as an object, displayed and admired. The cat comparison is dehumanizing. Curator: And consider the men, arrayed almost like judges, their expressions assessing, evaluating. It reflects the societal pressures on women to conform to standards of beauty and grace. Editor: It's as if she's on exhibit. A poignant commentary on the objectification inherent within those circles. Curator: Precisely. The image lingers in the mind, prompting us to question how we perpetuate such dynamics. Editor: It makes you wonder if we have learned anything at all.