Birth of the Pearl, from The Kingdom of the Pearl 

Curator: "Birth of the Pearl, from The Kingdom of the Pearl" by Edmund Dulac. This fantastical image renders an ethereal underwater scene using watercolors. Editor: My first thought? Dreamy and just a touch unsettling. Those big-eyed fish staring down at her… it’s like a theatre curtain’s just gone up, and this scene’s being unveiled for us, the audience. Curator: Dulac’s work often intersected with Symbolism, and here, we see that quite explicitly. The pearl represents purity, of course, but within a socio-political lens, consider the representation of idealized feminine beauty, and its accessibility for certain classes during the early 20th century, the female body as object or artwork... Editor: Wow, heavy! I was just vibing with the almost pastel colors, like an old, faded postcard from Atlantis. And she looks like she's auditioning for Botticelli but, you know, underwater, complete with seashell prop! Do you think she is cold? Curator: The use of watercolor allows for delicate gradients and the creation of an otherworldly atmosphere, drawing from narratives found in global fairy tales and folklore to negotiate exoticism. I am thinking, in particular, of the orientalist readings that critics gave to illustrations such as this one. The woman is central, of course, but also framed, made exotic, by the artist's eye and context. Editor: Okay, yes, the "exotic" thing makes total sense now that you say it. But still… Look at that little crab guy scuttling away in the corner! He doesn't look that impressed with her big moment! This little detail makes me believe that there is room for more personal and even quirky readings of the artwork. Curator: Indeed, there's an element of subversion even within what appears to be an allegorical rendering of idealized femininity. And isn't that what makes art continually resonant? Editor: Absolutely. It's that push-pull between historical context and personal connection. What starts as a dreamy underwater fantasy suddenly has me thinking about female identity... crazy, isn't it?