Portrait of Augusta, Princess of Wales 1754

Editor: This is Jean-Étienne Liotard's "Portrait of Augusta, Princess of Wales," created in 1754. It's regal but feels quite subdued; I’m curious to hear your take on its symbolism. What catches your eye the most about this work? Curator: The ermine trim, definitely. Consider its weight, both literally on her shoulders and metaphorically as a symbol. Ermine has been used for centuries in royal garments, a visual declaration of status, purity, and, of course, authority. What feelings does the ermine evoke in you? Editor: The ermine feels performative to me, emphasizing the Princess’s role and the weight of expectations placed on her. It's striking against the blue. Curator: Exactly. And the zig-zag pattern, the placement of those decorative buttons… Do they seem to be reinforcing her stature, or something else? It isn’t simply ornamental. Patterns and colors carry psychological impact too. Think about the cultural associations of blue at that time. Editor: I suppose the formality, while also softened by the pastel medium... maybe Liotard is pointing to both her power and vulnerability? I also wonder about her gaze - it’s rather direct for a formal portrait of the time, wouldn't you say? Curator: Indeed. A direct gaze could signal confidence, but what other nuances do you detect there? Perhaps defiance, or even a hint of weariness? It challenges the viewer. Considering that, how does your understanding of her “performance” shift? Editor: That's fascinating! It really emphasizes how every element contributes to the narrative—the colour, pattern and even her stare, and how they can affect viewers differently! Curator: Precisely. The magic lies in that constant play between historical weight and subjective experience. Symbols don't exist in a vacuum.