Portrait 

Editor: Here we have what’s titled, simply, "Portrait," by Konstantin Egorovich Makovsky. The oil paint practically glows; it's giving me major romantic vibes, with that dark background and the almost ethereal quality of the young woman. The oval composition seems interesting and a bit peculiar for portraiture... what catches your eye when you look at it? Curator: What catches my eye? Well, first, it's the gaze. She’s got this almost…knowing look, doesn't she? Like she holds some secret, or maybe she's amused by ours. Beyond that, consider how Makovsky flirts with exoticism here. The ornate headdress, the necklace…it hints at a particular cultural identity, probably Russian folk costume, but also romanticises it through the artistic license and oval composition. Is she real, or an idea? A poem of the ideal, perhaps? It makes you wonder who *she* thought *she* was. Editor: I was definitely drawn in by the exotic details. I did wonder whether the Romantic style and the costuming exoticize the subject. What else do you notice? Curator: I notice the painterly brushwork. Loose, but precise when it needs to be. See how the flowers are just splashes of color, but her face…it’s all subtlety and light. And I like the touch of light, there - as though sunshine were reflecting of her jewelry. A trick of course but well-done! To me, the painting balances these elements beautifully. I find I want to construct my own narrative. What about you? Editor: You’ve given me a lot to think about – how the romanticism aesthetic interacts with the exoticising gaze. I’m glad I noticed that the image invites narrative invention for its viewers. I will ponder about how Romantic ideals might manifest or clash. Curator: Exactly! It's a reminder that we bring ourselves and our questions to every piece, finding new facets, new little mirrored surfaces in time. Isn't art wonderful?