Jerry Richardson, Former Owner, Carolina Panthers, Wofford College 2017

Editor: Here we have Daniel Greene's 2017 oil painting, "Jerry Richardson, Former Owner, Carolina Panthers, Wofford College." There’s a certain formality, even gravitas, that comes through. I wonder, how do you read this portrait? Curator: This portrait is very telling of cultural narratives and aspirations. Look at the objects chosen: the books and the football. They are powerful symbols here. It invites questions. What do these items collectively signify about Richardson’s life and legacy? Does this portrait reinforce established power dynamics or perhaps challenge them in subtle ways? Editor: It's interesting how the objects provide a biography. He must have considered himself both a scholar and sportsman? Curator: Precisely. In Western portraiture traditions, such symbolic inclusions date back centuries. These symbols are rarely arbitrary. Ask yourself, what cultural values are being amplified here? Also, notice how his gaze meets ours. Editor: Yes, he's very present. Is that intentional? To make him appear relatable? Curator: Potentially. Artists are strategic in deploying glances. Direct eye contact can signify honesty and strength. How do you think that detail functions in light of what you know about this public figure and his story? Do the objects and his expression tell the same story, or are they at odds? Editor: That's a really good point. Perhaps the gaze invites you in, and then the symbols prompt deeper questions about who is invited in and why. It really does say a lot about not just the subject but how they wanted to be perceived, and by whom. Curator: Exactly! Now you're diving deeper into the layered meanings, the continuous dialogues across cultures, and the cultural imprint the image hopes to leave.