Doll c. 1939

Lillian Causey's watercolor and graphite artwork depicts a doll, a common and very gendered toy. The doll, standing at approximately 58 x 43.8 cm, presents a fascinating intersection of childhood, representation, and cultural identity. Born in 1855, Causey lived through a period of significant social change, including shifts in gender roles and expectations. This artwork invites us to consider the historical context in which dolls were not merely playthings, but also tools for socializing young girls into their expected roles as caregivers and mothers. The doll's dress and bonnet speak to a particular era of fashion and domesticity. Notice the doll's somewhat somber expression, which contrasts with the typical idealized image of childhood innocence. Perhaps this was a deliberate choice by Causey, to capture the complexities of girlhood. We are left to ponder how this artwork reflects, and perhaps even subtly critiques, the societal expectations placed on women during Causey's lifetime.