Jenny Scott 1986

Editor: This is Leonard McComb's "Jenny Scott", from the Tate collection. The stark black and white is so striking, and I'm curious, what stands out to you about this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to the way McComb positions Jenny within the broader social conversation around representation. How does this image, with its raw strokes and unconventional composition, challenge traditional portraiture and its power dynamics? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered it in that way before. Curator: Consider how the dark background emphasizes the sitter's presence, and the visibility of her chest. Does this suggest vulnerability? What kind of agency does Jenny have in this depiction, and what does that say about McComb’s own view? Editor: It's really about power. I guess I was just seeing a portrait. Thanks, that’s given me a whole new perspective.