She Shall be Called Woman

"She Shall be Called Woman" is a thought-provoking religious painting by George Frederic Watts, executed as a Oil on canvas in 1886. Departing from traditional portrayals, it features a blindfolded female figure seated on a globe, playing a lyre with only one string remaining. The background is nearly blank, with a single star emphasizing symbolism rather than literal storytelling. Watts used Symbolism to imbue the scene with ambiguity, emphasizing beauty over clear narrative—an approach favored by the Aesthetic Movement. While its colors and symbolism garnered admiration, critics initially disliked its unconventional nature.