Cutout Doll of a Lady in Yellow 

Editor: Here we have Susanna Duncombe's "Cutout Doll of a Lady in Yellow." It’s quite small, just paper really, but the dress is so voluminous! What do you see in this piece, especially given its time? Curator: I see a fascinating glimpse into the constraints and performances of femininity in the 18th century. The exaggerated width of the dress, rendered in fragile paper, speaks volumes about the societal expectations placed on women to occupy space, but only within very specific, often restrictive, parameters. How does it make you feel? Editor: A bit conflicted, actually. I see the beauty, but also that restriction you mentioned. Curator: Exactly. Duncombe offers a subtle critique, perhaps unintentional, of the performative nature of aristocratic womanhood. The doll, a symbol of innocence and play, becomes a vehicle for exploring the complex dynamics of power, gender, and representation. Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn't considered. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! These objects hold so much more than meets the eye.