Portrait of Samuel Palmer, R.W.S. c. 1824 - 1830

Editor: This is George Richmond's portrait of Samuel Palmer. It’s a red chalk drawing, and it's quite small. What immediately strikes me is its dreamlike quality. It feels like a fleeting glimpse of someone deep in thought. What do you make of it? Curator: Indeed! It's like catching a whisper on paper. The red chalk lends a warmth, almost a pulse. Richmond's rapid lines suggest not just a likeness, but a sense of Palmer's inner world. Do you notice how the unfinished quality adds to the feeling of introspection? Editor: I do. It's like the drawing itself is still searching for something. Curator: Precisely! And perhaps that's the point. It's not about capturing a perfect image, but conveying a feeling, an essence. I find it quite beautiful in its incompleteness. Editor: I agree. It’s definitely made me see the power of suggestion in portraiture. Curator: And that's the magic, isn't it? A little red chalk, a few lines, and suddenly, we're sharing a moment with Samuel Palmer.