Frances was one of the most perceptive students in my studio class. Her drawings displayed a high level of sensitivity.
Subtle influences are reflected in this painting: an affinity to Rosetti's Annunciation can be seen in Frances’s pose and gesture, while hints of Botticelli's Birth of Venus may be noted in the handling of her hair. Louis Comfort Tiffany’s impact comes through in my fascination with the beauty of color and leaded glass in the torchiere lamp with its flare of blossoms, which continues in the flowering hibiscus. I added this greenery for movement and texture.
The vibrant color of the dress is echoed in the turquoise ring which Frances turns toward the viewer to be noticed for its fine detail. Her hands imply this student’s ultra sensitive nature, and a multitude of golden brown tones are evident in her contemplative eyes, wandering hair, and the ascending spiral of the lampstand’s pole. The lamp is ignited, setting Francis aglow.
