The Introvert

Elizabeth de Gebele Ginno

London-born, San Francisco Bay Area-raised Elizabeth Ginno was a printmaker, painter, draftsperson, and illustrator who studied at Mills College, the California College of Arts and Crafts (now the California College of the Arts), and the California School of Fine Arts (now the San Francisco Art Institute). She worked for the WPA during the Depression as a printmaker and print demonstrator around the time that this work was made.

Ginno’s style was not easily categorized, as she worked in everything from straight-forward representation to the fully abstract. Of the former, her work usually focused on women, as seen here. A woman is shown with eyes demurely downcast, a wide-brimmed hat lowered to her brow as if to hide herself. The image is intriguing for its secrecy; appealing for its relatability.