I couldn’t help but think of how maybe these little ballerinas would grow up to one day be this duchess. How much, as children we dance, love, feel free, and empathize with one another. The artist captured the sheer joy of letting yourself go and creative expression through dance. What freedom. In stark contrast the duchess is striking, elegant, and regal. We grow up to keep our composure and be poised, and demure.
That look that she gives you as SHE walks by. A look and a posture, of strength and confidence. It fills me with wonder. What did she go through? What was she like? Was she happy? So much of her personality is exhibited through the painting and at the same time there are so many question marks. I hope she was. I hope she was happy. I could look it up, but for now I am going to bask in the thought that she was all of those things (happy, elegant, strong, confident) and more. I all of a sudden, feel a sense of duty to do you proud.
There really is something to be said, about sitting and standing up tall. It’s like if that seemingly small and insignificant gesture automatically gives you strength and independence. Strength and independence. We hear it so many times, from the women of the past, the women of now, and it echoes, from the women soon to come, within the dimensions of the future. We yearn for it.
Discovering what our raison d’etre for wanting strength and independence is truly where we delve into the depths of our womanhood. Is it to prove ourselves to others? To men in particular? (completely understandable.. by the way) To ourselves? I must solemnly admit, I yearn for it, to prove myself to other women. To prove that I too, can do it. That I too, can make you proud. It’s a topic that gets me emotional every time. I admire so many women in my life and my most sincere hope, is to make them proud.
Throughout this reflection, one that I have spent much time thinking about, I have come to the conclusion that strength and independence infiltrates best when love, empathy, and compassion are your first priority. What merit does strength and independence have if it replaces compassion and empathy? What merit does it have, if you do it, for others, and not for yourself first?
I have discovered that the first step in this process is to love yourself and to empathize with yourself first and foremost. See yourself from the outside in. Easier said than done. Especially in a world filled with comparisons and constant criticism. We forget how to be kind to ourselves and in turn, to others. Learning to love and have a compassion for yourself is in tandem with loving and having a compassion for others. This is what will give you the strength, independence, and courage to be self-sufficient and ultimately happy :).
Art does this. This is the essence and purpose of art at it’s core. To inspire. To provoke thought. To reveal aspects of your being that were never discovered before. Art, if given it’s deserved attention, has the ability to affect change and thought; it is how creativity changes the world for the better.
You can find these incredible pieces of art at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum.