Admiral Lord Richard Howe (1726-1799) 1798

Curator: Here we see a portrait of Admiral Lord Richard Howe, rendered in Wedgwood Jasperware. It presents a study in restrained elegance. Editor: There's an unsettling coldness to it, though. The stark white figure against that pale ground reads as almost spectral, despite the ornate framing. Curator: Wedgwood's work elevated ceramics, transforming them from utilitarian objects to high art. The process was incredibly labor-intensive, each piece carefully molded and fired. Editor: And who benefitted from that labor? Howe was a figure of power, representing a colonial structure built on exploitation. This piece embodies the complex relationships between art, power, and social structures. Curator: It reflects Howe's status, certainly, but also Wedgwood's ambition to create lasting, beautiful objects, showcasing his craft. Editor: Perhaps. But the context of its creation—the social inequalities it implicitly supports—cannot be ignored. Curator: A potent reminder that objects contain many narratives. Editor: Precisely. A snapshot of intersecting social and material histories.