Sir William Alison Russell 

Editor: Here we have a painting – “Sir William Alison Russell” by George Washington Lambert, seemingly crafted in oil paint. The figure strikes a pose of understated elegance. What's your interpretation? Curator: Oh, he absolutely pops, doesn’t he? Lambert masterfully uses a limited palette. The crisp whites sing against the softer, almost faded landscape. I imagine Lambert saw this stark contrast as mirroring something of Russell’s own personality, perhaps a sharp mind in a more pastoral setting. Doesn’t he almost look like he is glowing? What about you? Editor: Yes! He is really bright compared to the ground in the back. Is that contrast purposeful, or does it simply stem from the artist's aesthetic? Curator: I think it’s very deliberate. This is a power pose. That confidence is a statement, isn't it? It makes me wonder what kind of man Sir William really was, away from the artist's interpretation. Lambert gives him a self-assured gaze – what secrets do you think those eyes are keeping? Editor: That's interesting; I didn’t notice how he was making direct eye contact! Thank you for making this painting more enjoyable. Curator: Art is like looking in the mirror, if only for a minute; glad you had that.