Flirt 

Curator: Here we have Julie Bell’s painting entitled, "Flirt.” It's an interesting example of the animal portrait genre painted with an airy plein-air technique. Editor: My initial impression is that the piece exudes a powerful intimacy; a gentle bond frozen in time, rendered with soft warmth. The proximity and implied interaction between the horses is captivating. Curator: The artist really captured a candid moment of what appears to be gentle affection. I wonder about the setting; the lighting indicates it was painted outdoors. The blurred, dark tree line in the background feels somewhat arbitrary and might actually obscure a clearer depiction of that outside space. Editor: True, it's difficult to make out the surrounding setting, but the composition definitely prioritizes this bond between these two creatures, drawing all focus on their delicate non-verbal exchanges. In my view, Bell subverts this notion of human ownership that’s historically inherent in these kinds of animal portraits. She lets the animal's own moment take precedence. Curator: I think what you’re pointing out really emphasizes how notions of gender also play a role in our viewing of the artwork. Julie Bell’s unique positioning as one of very few successful female artists working with animal portraiture could speak to larger dialogues on patriarchal control in visual culture. Editor: Precisely! She seems to humanize her subjects. I find myself trying to locate the context of power. I'm considering how we are positioned as the observers to a private moment and wondering, what is my ethical responsibility when encountering this image of two animals behaving intimately with each other? Curator: Well, I suppose it forces one to reflect on the relationship between observer and observed. As our cultural understandings of non-verbal cues evolve, particularly interspecies, “Flirt” seems well-poised to open dialogues about animal agency within human social spheres. Editor: It really offers an enriching entry point into thinking about the complex politics embedded even in a genre painting of two seemingly carefree animals. Curator: It's definitely a piece that resonates with many questions relevant to art's role within society today. Editor: A stimulating contemplation.