The Rev. Sir Henry Bate-Dudley, Bart c. 1780

Curator: Here we have Thomas Gainsborough's portrait of The Rev. Sir Henry Bate-Dudley. Editor: It projects a stern and rather impenetrable image, wouldn’t you say? Like he’s guarding a secret. Curator: The somber tones and restricted palette—largely black and white—are typical of the era's formal portraiture and reflect Bate-Dudley's status. Think of the expense of pigment, the labour involved! Editor: The severity of the black coat is softened, though, by that elaborate lace jabot. It’s a symbol of status, but also vanity, perhaps? A man of the cloth indulging in finery. Curator: It's also about the material. Look closely, you can almost feel the texture of the lace. Gainsborough's skill makes cheap materials look rich. Editor: Interesting. The weight of symbolism here really underscores how carefully constructed such images were to convey power and authority. Curator: Exactly! It’s about the construction of identity in a rapidly changing world. Editor: The use of dark colors projects a very stoic image. Food for thought. Curator: Indeed, the materiality speaks volumes, doesn't it?