George, Prince of Wales, and Prince Frederick c. 18th century

Editor: This print by James Watson depicts George, Prince of Wales, and Prince Frederick. They’re quite young here and dressed almost identically. What strikes me is how the innocence of childhood is presented, but also maybe a sense of the expectations placed upon them. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s precisely that tension between innocence and imposed identity that interests me. Consider the historical context: these are not just children; they are symbols of dynastic power. How does the artist negotiate portraying their youth while simultaneously signaling their roles within a rigid social hierarchy? Think about the ways gender is performed here too; these boys are presented in a way that almost mirrors the conventions of female portraiture at the time, further complicating their identities. Editor: So, it’s less a straightforward portrait and more a commentary on constructed identities? Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to question the very nature of representation and the societal forces shaping these young princes.