On Valentine’s Day we were joined by LACMA educator Alicia Vogl Saenz to talk about self love and how we can practice self care. Alicia discussed the painting Portrait of a Woman Holding a Pencil and a Drawing Book by French artist Robert-Jacques Lefèvre, who painted many portraits of important and aristocratic people. Usually a viewer can tell a lot about a subject by what’s included in his or her portrait. Alicia digs deep into the pensive look on the woman’s face, the significance behind her book and pen, and invites us to think about the ways we practice doing what we love.

Portrait of a Woman Holding a Pencil and a Drawing Book  is currently on view in the Ahmanson Building, Level 3.