#41488 Coles Phillips

The drawing presents a woman seated at a writing desk, rendered in a style reminiscent of early 20th-century illustration. The composition is centrally focused on the figure and her immediate surroundings, with a deliberate symmetry that lends a sense of formality and order.
Here we see the woman positioned slightly to the left of center, her body angled towards the viewer but her gaze directed outward, suggesting contemplation or perhaps distraction. She wears a long, flowing gown with delicate detailing at the neckline, indicative of an upper-class status. Her posture is upright, conveying a sense of decorum and refinement. The desk itself dominates the foreground; its dark wood contrasts sharply with the woman’s pale dress, drawing attention to it as a symbol of work or intellectual pursuit. A small lamp sits on the desk beside her, casting a soft glow that illuminates the writing surface.
Above the desk, affixed to the wall, is a calendar displaying intricate illustrations for each day of the month. The calendars presence introduces an element of time and routine into the scene, hinting at a structured life governed by schedules and obligations.
The artist employed cross-hatching techniques extensively to create tonal variations and define form. This technique contributes to the drawing’s overall texture and depth. The limited palette – primarily black and white with subtle gradations of gray – reinforces the sense of restraint and elegance characteristic of the period.
Subtly, the image explores themes of domesticity and female roles within a specific social context. While the woman is engaged in an activity associated with intellect (writing), her attire and posture suggest a life defined by societal expectations and appearances. The calendar serves as a visual reminder of the constraints imposed by time and duty. The drawing doesnt depict action or narrative, but rather presents a moment frozen in time – a portrait of a woman poised between private thought and public expectation.