During Winter break, my mom and I ventured off to NYC for a short weekend trip. One day we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (aka the Met) and went to an exhibit called American Stories. I was excited because I thought it would be cool to see stories of Americans represented in art and relate it to this class somehow. I was particularly struck by one painting titled "Story of Golden Locks" by Seymour Joseph Guy. It was painted in 1870 and the exhibit called this era, "Stories of War and Reconciliation". The painting depicts a girl reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears to her two young brothers. What I did not catch in the painting was the little doll stuffed in the box on the chair. By reading the summary next to the painting, I read that this showed her advancement from girlhood to womanhood. I thought this connected well into our Women and Children unit we are studying now. But by stuffing her doll into the box shows that she is ready to take on a role as a woman and later on becoming a mother. I really like how Guy's simple painting has a sentimental feel for young girls who want to assume the role of a woman. What do you think about this painting? When do you think a girl takes on the role to becoming a woman, is it as simple as tucking away your toys and games?
(image via
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/americanstories/objectImages/TT.3.14.EL.jpg)
The doll stuffed into a box is a really subtle indicator of this girls change from girl to woman, I don't think I would have noticed it if you hadn't pointed it out. I think the transition from child to woman does include putting away childhood toys, but there is definitely more to it than just that. I think that a girl takes on the role as woman when she has the ability to think for herself and be independent and make her own choices. The painter think's it is when she assumes responsibility over someone else, or when she becomes a mother. I feel she makes the transition when she is able to make the choice to become a mother.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I wonder what the significance is behind the story the girl is reading.
I'm with Madelaine -- I missed the doll as well.
ReplyDeleteThere is something to be said about having the opportunity to visit the museum and interact with the art one-on-one. I was able to do that with Jasper Johns' "Flag" at MoMA: it really changed my perception of this work.
Great link to our theme.