Back of a Woman (from Sketchbook) 1796 - 1886

This is a graphite sketch of a woman’s back, made by Asher Brown Durand, a leading figure in the Hudson River School movement. While undated, this sketch gives us insight into Durand's broader artistic practice and the cultural norms of his time. During the 19th century, representations of women in art were loaded with social expectations. Durand, like many artists of his era, often depicted women in passive, domestic roles, or as allegorical figures representing virtues. Here, the woman is presented from the back, her identity somewhat obscured, inviting viewers to project their own interpretations onto her. The lines of the drawing gently trace the soft curves of her neck and shoulders, drawing attention to her physical form. The off-the-shoulder dress hints at a sensuality that was both celebrated and constrained by Victorian society. Durand’s sketch provides a glimpse into the complex interplay of gender, representation, and societal expectations that shaped artistic production in 19th-century America. It quietly speaks to the limited roles often assigned to women, while also revealing the subtle ways artists like Durand could explore and perhaps even challenge those boundaries.