Philip Sansom, Jun., as a Child 

Curator: Richard Westall, who lived from 1765 to 1836, painted this portrait of "Philip Sansom, Jun., as a Child." It's currently held at the Tate. Editor: Oh, she's precious, isn't she? All innocence and curiosity, lit against that mysterious, dark background. Curator: Westall was quite successful at capturing the sentimentality prized in late 18th and early 19th-century portraiture. Child portraits gained popularity as notions of childhood innocence developed. Editor: I can see that. The lace bonnet, the delicate gown... It's almost theatrical, staging her within this almost dreamlike woodland. Curator: Indeed, childhood became a symbol of purity, and such portraits reinforced social values. Editor: It's funny how the most seemingly straightforward images are always layered with so much more when you start digging. Curator: Absolutely, and this is precisely where its lasting impact can be found.