Loammi Baldwin, Jr. (1780-1838); verso: Study for Female Head 1823

Curator: This is Washington Allston’s portrait of Loammi Baldwin, Jr., painted in oil on canvas. I’m struck by Allston’s handling of light, particularly on the face. Editor: He looks caught in a perpetual twilight, doesn't he? The rough brushstrokes and muted palette give it a moody, almost melancholic feel, even though it’s just a portrait. Curator: Allston was exploring Romanticism at the time; look at how he builds form through visible brushwork. The painting's verso reveals also study for a female head, suggesting the labor and material reuse within Allston’s studio. Editor: I love that it feels unfinished. Like a glimpse into a fleeting thought. Perhaps that's why I keep staring. Curator: It’s a testament to the layers of production and meaning embedded in the artistic process, reflecting the broader context of artistic patronage and social status of the sitter. Editor: It really does invite one to consider what it truly means to capture a likeness.