Seated Woman by Lamplight 1915

Daniel Garber’s Seated Woman by Lamplight was made with charcoal on paper around 1910. It depicts a woman in what looks to be domestic setting. But what was the role of women at that time? Garber was associated with the Pennsylvania Impressionists, who often depicted scenes of everyday life. This drawing, however, gives us a look at the changing role of women in the early 20th century. The woman is seated alone, without any indication of her domestic role or connection to a male figure. Her neutral gaze and simple clothing suggests a move away from purely domestic settings, and the development of a new sense of identity and purpose. The woman holds what looks like a sheet of paper: could she be a writer or artist? To understand this drawing better, we can turn to historical sources like letters, diaries, and census records. These help us grasp the complex social conditions that shaped women's lives, and the increasing visibility of women in the public sphere. Remember, art doesn't exist in a vacuum – it reflects the world around it.