Louise Nathurst 1898

Curator: Denman Waldo Ross created this intimate portrait, Louise Nathurst, in 1933. Editor: The muted palette and visible brushstrokes give it a very immediate, personal feel, almost unfinished. Curator: This was painted during the Great Depression, a period of significant upheaval. It is difficult to ignore the class implications here, where we see a presumably wealthy woman seemingly undisturbed in her domestic space. Editor: The juxtaposition of the solid yellow dress with the fluid green background is quite striking, wouldn’t you agree? The artist's choice emphasizes shape and color above all else. Curator: The subject's averted gaze could reflect a sense of detachment, or perhaps even quiet resistance, in a society grappling with economic disparity. Editor: Ultimately, it is the artist's sophisticated control of composition that resonates most strongly. Curator: An interesting counterpoint of the personal, political, and painterly!