Head of a Woman, Facing Half Right 

Editor: Here we see Head of a Woman, Facing Half Right, from the British School, sometime in the 18th century. It's a delicate drawing, but I wonder about its purpose. Was this simply a sketch? Curator: Excellent question! The 18th century saw the rise of portraiture as a symbol of status and identity. While this may be a study, it also speaks to the growing importance of representing individuals within the broader social landscape. Is she someone of importance? Or merely a model? Editor: That's fascinating. So, the act of portraying itself held significance, beyond just likeness? Curator: Precisely. Consider the power dynamics at play: who commissions portraits, whose image is circulated, and what messages are conveyed. Editor: I'm realizing how much a simple sketch can tell us about society! Curator: Exactly! Art never exists in a vacuum.