Final answer:
The plain surroundings in Cindy Sherman's Untitled Film Still #16 accentuate her femininity, highlighting traditional gender roles of the historical era in focus.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Cindy Sherman's Untitled Film Still #16, Sherman portrays a 1950s housewife, with the plain surroundings serving to accentuate her femininity. The overall tone of the image draws attention to the artist as a central point, emphasizing her gender's traditional role within that historical context. Sherman's work often explores the construction of identity and the role of women in society, which includes an examination of feminine stereotypes.