Doctor Samuel Johnson Possibly 1772

Curator: Reynolds’ portrait of Doctor Samuel Johnson offers a penetrating glimpse into the mind of the great lexicographer. Editor: My first thought is how tactile this painting appears. Look at the impasto of his wig, the rough weave implied in his coat. Curator: Indeed, the wig itself is fascinating; it acts almost as a halo, framing a face marked by intelligence, even perhaps, a bit of torment. The wig's color connects him to generations past. Editor: And consider the material cost of such a wig, the labour involved in its creation, setting the tone for the consumption habits of the sitter. The very pigment used speaks to the age of expansion. Curator: Absolutely, and the symbols surrounding him reflect not only status, but a certain intellectual rigor; the portrait reflects the weight of cultural authority. Editor: Reynolds seems to have been very deliberate in his use of materials, considering the portrait's social context. Curator: It certainly gives us a glimpse into the symbols and material culture of Johnson's world. Editor: A good reminder to look at the artist's process and how its details can echo society.