Reginald Heber Fitz (1843-1913) 1914

Editor: This is a portrait of Reginald Heber Fitz by Ignaz Marcel Gaugengigl. It feels very formal. What do you notice about the historical context of this painting? Curator: Considering the late 19th-century context, this portrait embodies the establishment. Fitz was a prominent physician, and Gaugengigl, who often painted wealthy patrons, was likely chosen to reinforce his status through visual language. How might this image have served to solidify power structures within the medical community? Editor: So it's not just a likeness, but also a statement? Curator: Precisely. It speaks volumes about class, access, and who gets remembered. It makes me consider who *isn't* in these portraits. How does that imbalance affect our understanding of history? Editor: That’s a really powerful point. It's like, who holds the brush, and who gets brushed aside? Curator: Exactly! It really makes you think about the narratives we uphold, doesn't it?