John Runciman c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have Herman Webster's etching "John Runciman." It's a simple portrait, but there's a kind of serious intensity to the sitter’s gaze. What stories do you think it's trying to tell? Curator: This portrait speaks volumes about the social construction of masculinity within fin-de-siècle artistic circles. Consider the beard, the furrowed brow—do these not signal intellectual gravitas, aligning Runciman with established ideals of male authority and artistic genius? Whose stories are being centered here, and whose are being marginalized? Editor: So, it's more than just a portrait; it’s a statement about societal expectations? Curator: Precisely. Webster isn't simply depicting an individual; he's reinforcing a particular power dynamic. Think about the gaze: who is allowed to look, and who is being looked at? Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks!