Charles Chauncy (1705-1787) c. 1787

Editor: This is MacKay's portrait of Charles Chauncy, an oil on canvas piece, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The figure seems so serious. What kind of symbols do you observe in this work? Curator: The book is crucial. It's not just about literacy; it represents knowledge, religious authority, and the transmission of tradition. Notice how Chauncy holds it—not open, but as a symbolic weight, a burden of learning and responsibility. Editor: So the book signifies a lot about his role and societal expectations? Curator: Precisely. And the severe clothing, the wig – each element reinforces his status within a specific cultural and intellectual framework. What does the color palette suggest to you? Editor: It feels very formal and somber, which seems to suit the subject matter perfectly. Curator: Indeed, the artist used the imagery effectively. It is quite interesting to decode the symbols and understand the historical context.