Portret van boekverkoper en revolutionair Thomas 'Clio' Rickman 1800 - 1802

This is James Holmes's portrait of Thomas 'Clio' Rickman, a bookseller and radical figure in late 18th and early 19th century England. The image embodies the spirit of an era marked by intellectual ferment and revolutionary zeal. Rickman, a supporter of the American and French Revolutions, cultivated a network of progressive thinkers, including Thomas Paine and William Blake. The portrait, likely made around the turn of the century, captures Rickman's intellectual intensity, as he is posed with books alluding to his trade and political leanings. The curtain suggests he is someone of wealth and culture. Note the radical connotations of his dress: The loose cravat, rather than a rigidly formal stock, signals a rejection of aristocratic norms and a sympathy for the common man. To understand the significance of this image, we must look to sources such as letters, pamphlets, and the publications of radical societies. These resources shed light on the vibrant counter-culture that Rickman inhabited and document the power of art to challenge existing social norms.