James Watt c. 19th century

Curator: This is Samuel William Reynolds I's print, "James Watt," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The stark contrast immediately grabs you, doesn't it? Such a powerful play of light and shadow gives this portrait a very serious mood. Curator: Indeed. Reynolds’ mezzotint technique allowed for such rich tonal gradations, very popular for disseminating portraits and other images in the 19th century. Consider the labor involved in creating these intricate plates. Editor: Absolutely. The meticulous gradations create such a detailed image of Watt. The draping fabric and the smooth texture of the bust contrasts beautifully with the darker background. Curator: Prints like these made knowledge and imagery more accessible. Watt, as an inventor, represents this spirit of progress through accessible knowledge. Editor: Looking at the artist’s play of light, he really captured something essential about Watt's likeness and the texture of the sculpture itself. Curator: Ultimately, it makes you wonder about the relationship between art, labor, and the celebration of industrial innovation within the social context of its time. Editor: I agree, and it's precisely that relationship between light and texture that makes it so compelling to study.