Warpaint 1940

Curator: Douglas Warner Gorsline’s "Warpaint", an etching from 1940, presents us with a fascinating study of a woman caught in a moment of self-assessment. Editor: The detail is incredible for an etching. Look at the density of the lines creating texture and depth, especially in her fur coat. There's a certain materiality that jumps right out. Curator: Absolutely. Gorsline's adept handling of the etching process brings a palpable texture to the fur. But consider the title—"Warpaint." Doesn't it hint at a deeper symbolic layer, this ritualistic act of applying makeup? Editor: Precisely. Makeup as armor, perhaps? Looking closely, I see the woman holding a mirror and what appears to be a lipstick tube. She's adorning herself, maybe preparing for a role or performance. Curator: Note the hat, too. Almost turban-like, and it adds an exotic or theatrical air. It gives her a performative identity; but is that 'who she really is' or part of a manufactured persona? Editor: It feels intentional. "Warpaint," during wartime. There are societal pressures at play. Consumption is so powerful, even at a time of scarcity, people turned to materiality to mask themselves and express some kind of "identity." The production of cosmetics and other manufactured items had serious repercussions. Curator: She is preparing for the world and facing some kind of "battle" where how you're perceived might impact how you’re treated and also has the capacity to distract from some kind of pain and sorrow. What a powerful emotional weight is embedded in the image. Editor: In Gorsline’s hands, this isn’t just about surface beauty. It's a poignant reflection on the layers of identity we construct and present, using readily available materials. Curator: Exactly. It’s fascinating how Gorsline, through his precise technique and the symbolism embedded within the portrait, offers us insight into not only this woman but also the broader societal constructs at play during that era. Editor: A close look at materiality informs how this imagery relates to collective ideas around wartime expression. I think that Gorsline's artwork delivers a powerful reflection of war era ideas about persona and performance through this etched depiction.