ERA: 1890-1915

ARTIST: Margaret Rowland (American Arts & Crafts)

MEDIUM: Charcoal on Bristol Board Framed and Matted Under Glass

DIMENSIONS: H 30.25in. X W 24in.

SOURCED: Milford, New Hampshire, USA

This large Arts & Crafts period figurative charcoal drawing by American artist Margaret is in very well-preserved condition, considering it was discovered in a portfolio along with a sister female patrician sitter.

The scene is atmospheric, with the light pouring in from the stacked windows on the right, adding to a smoky mirage that engulfs the sitter. There is a very tender treatment of the face and of the woman's transparency. Her stockings add feminine allure and allude to the nature of Patrician sexuality; muted, undercover of darkness & messy hair, which leads one to believe she is in her boudoir, possibly after making love to her lover. This kind of feigned 'dangerousness,' was often depicted by period artists and desired by their clients, as a way to escape the otherwise stifling, asexual, conservative social mores of the time- everything was bottled up and tightly corked.

This charcoal drawing on the other hand, unlike the characteristic epoch, is much more relaxed, mysterious, enigmatic and charged. It is highly sexual and disguised. 

Please Note that all items are in original, antique, and vintage condition, they have been preserved at their found state and have purposefully not been restored to maintain their own unique and personal history. We believe that each imperfection tells a story.- L'uomo Curioso