A Distraught Woman with Her Head Thrown Back 1775 - 1780

Jacques Louis David created this ink drawing, titled "A Distraught Woman with Her Head Thrown Back," sometime during his career, but the exact date remains unknown. David's artistic trajectory was deeply shaped by the tumultuous political landscape of his time, particularly the French Revolution. This drawing captures a moment of intense emotional and psychological distress. The woman’s pose is striking; head thrown back, arms outstretched, she embodies raw anguish. Her clothing, reminiscent of classical drapery, could place her in a historical or mythological context, yet her emotion is deeply human and relatable. The drawing invites us to contemplate the emotional experiences of women and how they are represented. Does it reinforce traditional portrayals of female hysteria, or does it offer a more nuanced perspective on grief and despair? The ambiguity encourages us to bring our own emotional understanding to the work.