Summer 1725

Curator: This pastel portrait, “Summer,” was created in 1725 by Rosalba Carriera, and is part of a series of allegorical representations of the seasons. Editor: There’s an ethereal quality to it, wouldn't you say? She seems to almost glow against the dark background, like she’s lit from within. That little knowing look in her eye, makes me want to know her story. Curator: Carriera was a Venetian Rococo painter and is known particularly for her pastel work. As a woman artist, Carriera navigated a complex art world dominated by male artists; examining her portraits allows us to explore issues of gender, self-representation, and the artist's role in 18th-century society. The female gaze wasn't widely represented in art and “Summer” almost has a quality that embraces it. Editor: I see it! There's a defiance to her gaze! I’m fixated on her hand. The gesture is so delicate, so feminine. The placement feels incredibly deliberate... and the light hitting just so makes her appear almost… radiant. The pastel technique softens her, makes her gentle, but her face hints there is more depth, more spirit in there. It's interesting that this specific artist had no choice, yet made one anyway. Curator: Absolutely. Carriera's “Summer” allows us to question established art-historical narratives and open conversations about the representation of female figures, the agency of women artists, and the political and social contexts that influence artistic production. The erotic charge to the picture also seems secondary to an embrace of something other. Editor: I completely agree. Looking at her feels a little like finding a long-lost friend who is so familiar she seems kindred, while also being so foreign I would never presume to know her truth. And maybe I get to see her exactly how she desires to be seen; that is such a special, small freedom within a medium that has mostly celebrated and amplified the voice and perspective of men. Curator: Thinking about “Summer” from a contemporary perspective is really about acknowledging historical disparities and seeking more equitable representations and analyses in art history. Editor: Ultimately, this piece has such power. Beyond the technical mastery, I find this art particularly beautiful, touching, and a subtle beacon of the possibility of the female voice.