Artist unknown, Mexican Portrait of the Reverend Mother María Antonia de Rivera (c. 1775) Oil on canvas Philadelphia Museum of Art The Dr. Robert H. Lamborn Collection, 1903

I’m intrigued by this painting’s strange blend of austerity (the starched habit) and abundance (the enormous floral crown), accompanied by a mysterious gaze. I also really like the image and text combination—it’s so straightforwardly presented, but also very complexly coded. Plus, I just love nuns.

– Caroline Caviness, ARTstor Implementation Manager