Back of a Woman (from McGuire Scrapbook) 1854 - 1857

Shepard Alonzo Mount created this delicate graphite drawing, now held at the Metropolitan Museum, offering us a glimpse of a woman's back. The undone corset, a symbol of both constraint and release, speaks volumes. Consider the corset itself—a garment that molds the body to cultural ideals. Its presence here, half-removed, brings to mind similar acts of undressing depicted across art history, from classical Venus figures to more modern, intimate portraits. This motif transcends mere representation; it taps into our collective memory, echoing themes of vulnerability and transformation. Think of the emotional charge carried by such images. The glimpse of bare skin, the suggestion of intimacy—these elements engage us on a primal level, resonating with subconscious desires and anxieties. This image connects with a broader, ever-evolving narrative of the female form, a cyclical progression of societal expectations and personal liberation.