No illustration from the era of the Gibson Girl so sharply skewered American social rituals as The Expert; what makes you think she has one by Charles Dana Gibson. Published in the early 20th century, it became an instant talking point among readers of Life magazine, where Gibson's witty drawings regularly appeared. The title itself is a sly jab, echoing the era's fascination with etiquette and the supposed expertise of women in matters of the heart.

The work’s popularity was such that it was reproduced widely, helping to cement the image of the Gibson Girl as both an icon and a satirical figure. The scene captures a moment of drawing-room drama: a poised young woman, the archetypal Gibson Girl, sits serenely as a circle of earnest gentlemen lean in, each vying to impress her with their knowledge. The focal point is her enigmatic smile—does she possess the "expert" knowledge they seek, or is she simply enjoying the spectacle? Gibson’s crisp pen lines and deft use of white space highlight the contrast between the woman’s composed elegance and the men’s almost comic eagerness. Unlike John Singer Sargent’s lush portraits, which flatter their subjects, Gibson’s work pokes gentle fun, using gesture and posture to reveal the social games of his time. As with many of Gibson’s works, the original drawing’s whereabouts are uncertain; it likely passed through the hands of magazine editors and private collectors before being reproduced in countless prints and anthologies.

Charles Dana Gibson’s career was defined by his creation of the Gibson Girl, a symbol of modern femininity and wit in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. Today, The Expert; what makes you think she has one survives primarily in print, a testament to the enduring appeal of Gibson’s sharp social observation and the enduring fascination with the rituals of courtship and conversation.