Donna di Capri c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Donna di Capri" by G. Dura, located at the Harvard Art Museums. I am intrigued by the dress. It seems to define the subject. What do you notice about the construction? Curator: Note how the artist renders the fabric's texture through subtle variations in line and tone. Observe also the interplay between the flatness of the figure and the implied three-dimensionality of her garments. Editor: That's a great point! Now I see how Dura uses the line work to define form and volume, it looks like the clothing is a kind of architecture. Curator: Precisely. The composition becomes a study in contrasts: flat versus dimensional, linear versus tonal. What does that suggest to you? Editor: It's like the artist wants us to question what we’re seeing. I'll certainly consider dress and form in a different way. Curator: Indeed! A fruitful observation.