MEGAN MCGINNIS

Fabiola, 11"x17"

Graphite on Paper

2023

A young girl with a dish towel draped over her head, its folds framing her face in a manner reminiscent of religious iconography. The composition is an intentional nod to the countless copies of Jean-Jacques Henner's "Fabiola", a portrait of Saint Fabiola, the patron saint of divorce and broken marriages. The humble dish towel replaces the traditional red veil, infusing the image with contemporary domestic symbolism. This subtle yet poignant detail suggests the weight of familial fracture and resilience borne by modern households, particularly children who often carry silent burdens. The girl's solemn expression, paired with the towel's makeshift halo, evokes both innocence and quiet strength, transforming a mundane household object into a symbol of sacred endurance amidst life's fractures.